Chapter 25: Dying Without Regret

Three hours later.

The Heaven-Reaching Spirit Vessel suddenly emitted waves of spiritual power.

“We’re departing!”

“Is the quota full?”

The massive Heaven-Reaching Spirit Vessel slowly rose into the air. It gradually receded into the distant sky.

On the plaza of the main sect hall, some Outer Disciples who had not boarded wore expressions of deep regret and shame for their own cowardice.

Meanwhile, in a certain room aboard the Heaven-Reaching Spirit Vessel.

“Sixty years of cultivation, and this is the first time I’m seeing such a view.”

Li Meng stood by the window, gazing out at the majestic landscape of mountains and rivers.

Looking back on sixty years, his life had been excessively dull. He had loved cultivation too much. For six decades, his existence had consisted of nothing but alchemy and cultivation. He had never left the sect, never embarked on any journey of experience. He never imagined that at the end of his days, he would take a risk and head toward the most dangerous place of all—the Scarlet Forbidden Ground.

Knock, knock, knock!

Just then, the door to his room was suddenly knocked upon.

Li Meng smiled and looked toward the door. Could it be Junior Sister Yuan?

He walked over.

With a soft click, the door was opened from within.

Seeing Senior Qu standing outside with a face like thunder, Li Meng’s expression froze.

“Se… Senior Qu?”

Qu Rou entered the room without a word, her face impassive. She advanced step by step toward Li Meng.

Li Meng retreated repeatedly.

With a wave of her hand, Qu Rou sent the door slamming shut with a bang.

“You have been in the sect for sixty years. The farthest you’ve ever ventured is the Market City outside our gates. Do you not know what kind of place the Scarlet Forbidden Ground is? What exactly are you trying to do? Find a nice spot to bury yourself?”

Qu Rou’s cold, clear voice echoed in the room.

“Um… Senior Qu, you’re too close, too close!”

Li Meng had retreated until his back was against the windowsill. Facing Senior Qu’s icy gaze, he muttered internally. Is Senior Qu actually worried about me?

“Come with me. Get off this ship.”

Qu Rou extended her slender, jade-like hand and grabbed Li Meng’s wrist. She began pulling him toward the door.

“Senior Qu!”

Li Meng didn’t move, merely calling out her title.

Qu Rou turned her head, casting a cold glance back at him, a trace of anger warming her features.

“Blood Flame Flower, Blazing Sun Flower, Mystic Emperor Ginseng, Mystic Yin Grass. Senior Qu, could you possibly procure these four spiritual plants for this Junior?”

The expression on Qu Rou’s face shifted through several changes.

Though she was not an Alchemist, she knew these four plants were among the most crucial ingredients for refining the Dustfall Pill. The spiritual plants required for the Dustfall Pill were treasures within the sect, not something an Inner Disciple like her could easily access.

“Senior Qu, whether I go or not makes no real difference to me. If I go and manage to return, I can at least fulfill my promise to you before I die. Even if I fail to find the desired plants, my conscience would be clear. If I don’t go… I’d merely be dragging out my remaining days a little longer.”

Li Meng chuckled softly, his smiling eyes taking in the breathtaking beauty of Senior Qu before him.

“For Senior Qu to come here today… this Junior can die without regret now!”

He hadn’t expected Senior Qu to chase after him. It seemed those 75 points of Affection were somewhat useful after all.

Qu Rou looked at the smiling Li Meng with a complex expression. Even at a time like this, he’s still making glib remarks. An old bag of bones like him still wants to risk going to the Scarlet Forbidden Ground. I truly don’t understand what he’s thinking.

Should she stop him?

Li Meng’s gaze lingered appreciatively on Senior Qu’s form, admiring her enticing figure.

“That… if Senior Qu truly pities this Junior, I have an impertinent request!”

Faced with Li Meng’s lecherous stare, Qu Rou’s delicate brows furrowed slightly. “Can you think about anything other than this all day long?”

Li Meng chuckled again, stroking his long beard. “Who told Senior to be so beautiful? This Junior can’t help himself!”

Qu Rou grabbed Li Meng’s hand once more and pulled him away from the window.

…

Half an hour later.

…

“Come back alive.”

Standing by the door, Qu Rou glanced back over her shoulder. After leaving those words behind, she pushed open the door and walked out.

All that remained for Li Meng was the sight of her graceful figure from behind.

With a soft snap, the door closed, and that enchanting silhouette vanished from view.

Li Meng collapsed onto the bed.

“‘Come back alive,’ huh?”

A faint smile touched his lips.

He had no intention of dying. He would come back alive.

It wasn’t until afternoon that the massive Heaven-Reaching Spirit Vessel finally left sect territory.

The entrance to the Scarlet Forbidden Ground was located at a place called Mute Lake. The Scarlet Forbidden Ground had another name: The Thousand Lake Mountains.

The Thousand Lake Mountains were rich in Water Energy, making it an exceptional place for cultivation. Yet, because its water influence was overly abundant, it was also a perilous land.

Ten thousand years ago, a mighty expert established a great formation to isolate the Thousand Lake Mountains to protect mortals from harassment by its demonic beasts. Over the long river of time, countless cultivators perished within its bounds while seeking heavenly treasures and earthly wonders. Gradually, the Thousand Lake Mountains became known among cultivators as the “Scarlet Forbidden Ground.”

Five days later, Mute Lake.

A massive Heaven-Reaching Spirit Vessel flew over a vast lake. The sparkling water’s surface reflected the vessel’s enormous hull.

“So this is Mute Lake? It’s so beautiful!”

Under the blazing sun, the deck was bustling with noise and excitement. Pairs of Joyous Union Sect Outer Disciples stood by the railings, admiring the beautiful lake scenery. The lake was so immense it seemed like an ocean, its end nowhere in sight. The water’s surface was as calm and smooth as a mirror.

Meanwhile, in a certain room within the ship.

“Senior Brother! Senior Brother!”

The door was knocked upon urgently—knock, knock, knock!

From outside came Yuan Baobao’s sweet, calling voice.

Soon after, there was a click. The door opened from within.

A hand suddenly reached out from behind it and grabbed Yuan Baobao’s wrist, pulling her into the room before the door shut again with a bang.

Li Meng led Junior Sister Yuan to stand by the window. Side by side, they looked out at the beautiful lake scenery outside.

Yuan Baobao’s face was flushed pink. She stole a glance at Senior Brother Li beside her.

“We’ve reached Mute Lake?”

Li Meng turned his head and smiled at Junior Sister Yuan beside him.

Yuan Baobao gave a light nod. “Mhm.”

These past few days, Yuan Baobao had often come to find him. With Junior Sister Yuan around, time aboard the ship hadn’t been boring at all.