The Oldest Disciple: Farming Intimacy to Become Immortal

The Old Tianshi sank back onto his meditation cushion, his expression dazed. He stared at Li Meng with a gaze that burned with newfound fervor.

“Young friend… are you also proficient in the Dao of Talismans?”

Li Meng chuckled softly, smoothing his beard with an air of casual indifference. “I know a thing or two. Just the basics.”

The basics?

The Tianshi was rendered speechless.

That storm had been summoned by a Divine Firmament Talisman.

Countless Talisman Masters exhausted their entire lives without ever drawing a single talisman of that grade. Most cultivators would live and die without ever laying eyes on one. Yet today, not only had he seen the talisman’s power, but he was sitting across from the monster who had drawn it.

The Tianshi turned his gaze toward the woman sitting quietly by the tea table—Zhang Tianhua.

Sensing the old man’s attention, Zhang Tianhua lifted her head. Her beautiful eyes met the Tianshi’s ancient gaze. No words were spoken, yet a lifetime of understanding passed between them.

The Old Tianshi seemed to come to a heavy decision. He turned back to Li Meng.

“This child is a junior from my mortal clan. Her name is Zhang Tianhua. With your discerning eye, young friend, you surely noticed her special constitution—the Innate Dao Body. If you do not disdain her humble background, I ask that you take her up the mountain with you.”

Talismans were a Daoist supernatural power. Although the Tianshi himself was a Talisman Master, he had never produced a high-grade talisman in his life, let alone one of the Divine Firmament rank.

Perhaps this mysterious young man was the noble benefactor Zhang Tianhua needed to unlock her potential.

Li Meng turned his gaze to Zhang Tianhua.

“The Dao of Talismans is profound. Its artistic conception cannot be taught through words; it relies entirely on one’s own comprehension,” Li Meng said, his tone sage-like. “However, you possess the Innate Dao Body. Entering the Sect will be simple for you—the Ancestor will likely accept you personally. If you wish to learn Talismans from me, I will naturally teach you what I can. If you are willing, come with us.”

Li Meng’s internal calculator was already clicking.

Innate Dao Body.

Cultivators with this constitution achieved twice the results with half the effort. They were born under the protection of Daoist Luck, blessed with deep fortune. To leave such a talent behind would be a waste.

The Ancestor, Nangong Wan, had too few disciples. As her ‘grand-disciple,’ it was only right for Li Meng to take the initiative and add some vitality to Masked Moon Peak.

A flicker of hesitation passed through Zhang Tianhua’s eyes. She looked at the Tianshi, her expression conflicted.

The Old Tianshi chuckled warmly. “The Great Dao is walked alone; only in solitude can one climb to the peak. This is your path, child. No one can walk it for you. Rely on your own will.”

His time in this world was running short. To find a safe harbor for his two most promising disciples was a windfall from heaven. Now that this burden was lifted, his Dao Heart felt complete.

“Yes, Master,” Zhang Tianhua whispered.

She turned to Li Meng, her gaze firm. “I am willing to follow you up the mountain.”

Li Meng smiled, stroking his beard. “Excellent. Excellent.”

He then turned back to the Tianshi, his expression growing serious.

“Tianshi, there is a minor matter I handled on the way here. I have slain the Mountain God of Qiyun Mountain. His intentions were not upright; he sought to release the Yin Fiend Qi from a Yin Spring to farm Merit. At the foot of that mountain lies a mansion suppressing the spring. I stopped him from destroying it. I ask that you look after the owner of that mansion on my behalf.”

The Tianshi’s brows furrowed.

A Mountain God daring to commit such evil?

Yin Springs were convergence points for Yin Fiend Qi. Legends claimed they were the Yellow Spring Paths leading to the Underworld. Whether true or not, cultivators who entered them vanished without a trace. Even high-level cultivators feared to tread too deep.

If the Yin Fiend Qi were released, the consequences would be catastrophic. It was certainly not something a petty Mountain God could control.

“I understand,” the Tianshi said gravely. “I will notify the Imperial Astronomy Bureau to investigate Qiyun Mountain immediately.”

The Imperial Astronomy Bureau oversaw the Martial God Shrine, which was responsible for appointing and supervising the nation’s official deities. A rogue god was a serious offense.

Li Meng nodded, then looked toward the partition curtain at the back of the room. The Tianshi followed his gaze.

Behind the sheer fabric, Xia Xi’s head was practically pressed against the screen, trying to eavesdrop.

“Xia Xi, come in.”

Hearing her Master’s voice, Xia Xi’s eyes lit up. She quickly lifted the curtain and stepped onto the viewing platform, looking like a child caught stealing sweets.

“Master! Senior! Senior Sister!”

She bowed obediently to the three of them.

Li Meng looked at her with a beaming smile. “Junior Sister, are you willing to follow Senior Brother up the mountain to join the Joyous Union Sect’s Masked Moon Peak, under the tutelage of Supreme Elder Nangong Wan?”

Xia Xi froze.

Go… up the mountain to seek a Master?

Her expression shifted through a series of emotions—shock, confusion, panic. She instinctively looked at the Old Tianshi. He had raised her since she was a child. He was her Master. Why did she need another?

Facing her bewildered gaze, the Tianshi nodded with a kindly, grandfatherly smile.

“Go, child. Your constitution is special. The Joyous Union Sect is your best destination.”

Xia Xi bit her lip. So this was the purpose of Senior’s visit?

She stole a glance at Li Meng. He was smiling at her, that same warm, confident smile. Her cheeks flushed pink.

No wonder he called me Junior Sister earlier.

Xia Xi bowed deeply to the Tianshi. “Yes, Master.”

Seeing the matter settled, Li Meng stood up and cupped his hands.

“Tianshi, we will not disturb you further.”

With a flick of his sleeve, the Sword Nurturing Gourd at his waist detached and flew out the window. Once outside, it expanded instantly, transforming into a massive vessel over thirty meters long, hovering in the air like a jade ship.

“Let us go,” Li Meng said to the two women.

He stepped out the window, riding the wind to land gracefully on the gourd.

“A Sword Nurturing Gourd…” The Tianshi’s eyes widened slightly. “To possess such a treasure… his status in the Joyous Union Sect is truly extraordinary.”

Zhang Tianhua stood up and bowed formally to the Tianshi. “Master, your disciple is leaving.”

The Tianshi stroked his beard, smiling. “Go. Protect your Junior Sister well.”

“Se… Senior Sister, you…”

Xia Xi stared at Zhang Tianhua in astonishment. Senior Sister is coming too?

She looked back at the Tianshi. Zhang Tianhua was the Tianshi’s pride and joy. He was willing to let her go, just like that?

Zhang Tianhua didn’t explain. She simply walked past Xia Xi, riding the wind to join Li Meng on the gourd.

Snapping out of her daze, Xia Xi hurriedly bowed. “Master, I’m going! I… I will come back to visit you often!”

The Tianshi nodded with gratification.

Xia Xi flew out of the viewing platform, landing behind the others.

Standing at the prow of the giant gourd, Li Meng cupped his hands toward the old man in the window. “Tianshi, until we meet again.”

The Old Tianshi stood and returned the salute. “Young friend, may we meet again.”

Li Meng straightened his back. With a wave of his sleeve, the Sword Nurturing Gourd surged forward, rising into the sky and speeding toward the northeast.

The Old Tianshi stood by the window for a long, long time, watching the streak of light disappear into the horizon.

Meanwhile, high in the distant cloud layer.

Wen Huanhuan hovered in the air, her face a mask of ashen rage. Her knuckles cracked as she gripped her fan.

“That… that old lecher!”

Her chest heaved with indignation.

“No wonder he traveled thousands of miles to the State of Qi! I thought he was plotting something grand, but no—he just came here to collect two more vixens!”