The Oldest Disciple: Farming Intimacy to Become Immortal

Chapter 215: The Eve of Departure

Cai Xiaowei cupped her hands and offered a respectful bow to her opponent.

“Senior Brother, I am grateful for the lesson.”

The defeated disciple turned and soared away from the Martial Arena, his figure receding into the distance. Simultaneously, Mu Jiu’er’s voice rang out from the Name List Stele, clear and authoritative.

“Winner: Cai Xiaowei. She advances to the next round!”

The Inner Sect Grand Competition pressed forward. As the remaining names on the stele were called to the field one by one, Li Meng—to no one’s surprise—received a bye.

“The fourth round shall be a challenge-based ranking,” Mu Jiu’er announced. “The names on the stele have been randomized. Those in lower positions may challenge those above them to claim their rank. Each participant has only one opportunity to challenge. Should you fail, your name will be dropped to the bottom of the list.”

As her voice faded, the names on the Name List Stele began to shift and blur. For several breaths, the list shuffled like a deck of cards before finally locking into place.

“Senior Brother! Look! We’re both in the top five!”

Qi Wei stared at the stele, her face alight with surprise. Her luck was truly exceptional today—and so was her Senior Brother’s. Their names were etched firmly at the third and fifth ranks.

Li Meng chuckled, reaching out to ruffle her hair. “It seems our work here is done, little Junior Sister.”

The likelihood of anyone challenging them was practically non-existent. Indeed, just as Li Meng predicted, the fourth round saw only three desperate matches. The prospect of entering the Kongming Hall was, for many, a terrifying gamble rather than a coveted prize.

“The selection for the Kongming Hall expedition is now concluded,” Mu Jiu’er’s voice echoed. “The final list is as follows: Cai Xiaowei, Su Meng, Qi Wei, Chen Sheng, and Li Meng.”

“Furthermore,” she continued, “following this competition, the Sect will establish the Hero List and the Chosen List.”

“Those on the Hero List will receive vast cultivation resources based on their contribution points. The Chosen List, however, will be governed by free challenge. Higher ranks will receive top-tier breakthrough Pills every twenty years. These rewards will serve to sharpen our blades and elevate our combat prowess!”

A roar of excitement erupted among the disciples. The Hero List would undoubtedly drive them to take on more missions, while the Chosen List would turn the Sect into a crucible of constant competition. While the top twenty ranking matches would continue tomorrow, they no longer concerned Li Meng or the other four winners.

—

Moon Gaze Peak

Li Meng and Leng Yixue descended into the quiet courtyard before the peak’s pavilion, their robes fluttering in the mountain breeze. They took their seats at the weathered tea table.

“Senior Sister, I don’t know how long the expedition to the Kongming Hall will last,” Li Meng said softly. “Senior Leng’s condition is stable now; you needn’t worry too much.”

With a casual flick of his sleeve, a Storage Bag drifted through the air toward Leng Yixue.

“Inside are the spiritual plants for her medicinal baths and some resources for you. You must not neglect your own progress. If I do not return, continue the treatments as I’ve shown you. Her awakening is a matter of when, not if.”

Leng Yixue stared at the floating bag, her expression unreadable. It was filled with high-grade Pills and rare herbs. A strange weight settled in her chest.

“Junior Brother Li,” she said, looking up at him. “You know I cultivate the Path of Heartlessness.”

Li Meng chuckled, stroking the beard of his current disguise. “I am well aware.”

“Then why are you trying to damage my Dao Heart with such gifts?”

Li Meng’s gaze remained calm. “Whether one walks the Path of Heartlessness or the Path of Heartfulness, the ultimate goal is the same: to ensure one’s Thoughts are clear. I worry for Senior Leng, and I worry for your future path. By giving you these, my own thoughts become clear. This isn’t about karma, and it certainly isn’t an attempt to sabotage your cultivation.”

He paused, his voice turning solemn. “If your Dao Heart wavers simply because a Junior Brother gave you resources, then your ‘Heartlessness’ was never more than a fragile shell. True Heartlessness isn’t about being devoid of desire; it is about following the natural flow of the Great Dao—being in the world but not of it. If my presence truly clouds your mind, I will leave and never cross your path again.”

Leng Yixue fell silent, staring into the swirling tea in her cup. Her Junior Brother was no longer just talking; he was debating the Dao with her. Often, a cultivator’s greatest breakthrough came not from meditation, but from such a spark of external clarity.

Li Meng set down his cup and rose. Without another word, he took to the sky. He would leave her to her thoughts. He had three days before the journey began, and there were other farewells to attend to.

—

Greeting Moon Peak

Night had fallen, and a silver moon hung high over the Flower Sea Pavilion. Inside the upper chambers, the bed curtains swayed with a rhythmic tremor.

“You brat… you only know how to bully me!”

Li Qiushui’s face was flushed a deep crimson. She reached out and playfully flicked Li Meng’s forehead.

Li Meng grinned, leaning down to plant a soft, fleeting peck on the Headmaster’s lips. “I still prefer it when you call me ‘old fellow,’ Senior Aunt.”

Li Qiushui’s eyes shimmered with shyness as she gave him a sidelong glance. She had only let that name slip during a moment of lost control, and she hadn’t expected him to be so fixated on it.

“Sister!”

A soft, melodic voice suddenly drifted from outside the room. Li Qiushui’s face went pale. Panic seized her.

“It’s my sister! You… you have to hide! Now!”

She frantically shoved Li Meng off her. Li Meng merely rolled over on the bed, watching with a playful smirk as the Headmaster scrambled to pull on her robes.

As she stood by the bedside, Li Qiushui realized that Li Meng hadn’t moved an inch. She shot him a desperate look, but she knew deep down that hiding was futile. Her sister, Li Qiulan, was a Golden Core master. Even without using Divine Sense, she would easily perceive a second presence in the room.

Li Qiushui finished dressing and hurried to the door. With a sharp click, she stepped out.

Two women of exquisite beauty stood facing each other. They shared seventy percent of the same features, though their temperaments differed wildly. Li Qiushui was regal in her purple palace gown, while the woman before her was a vision in ethereal white.

Li Qiushui closed the door behind her with a definitive thud. She forced a smile. “Qiulan? It’s late. Is there something so urgent it couldn’t wait until morning?”

Li Qiulan’s eyes flickered toward the closed door. She knew perfectly well there was a man inside, but as a sister, she had no intention of prying into the Headmaster’s private affairs.

“Let’s walk,” Li Qiulan said quietly. “We need to talk.”