The Oldest Disciple: Farming Intimacy to Become Immortal

Chapter 250: The Willow Tree by the Pond

“Immortal Master?”

When the old maidservant saw Li Meng standing outside the door, her eyes, deeply buried in folds of wrinkles, lit up with recognition.

Her expression became agitated. “Immortal Master! Quickly… please come in!”

Li Meng chuckled, stroking his beard. “Old Nanny, it’s been a long time.”

“Yes, yes, a long time indeed,” she rasped, her voice thick with emotion.

Li Meng held Qi Wei’s hand and led her into Qiyun Villa.

The mansion behind the gate had changed dramatically since his last visit. Its scale had expanded several times over, with crisscrossing corridors and elegant pavilions stretching into the shadows.

“Immortal Master, this is…”

As they walked down a long corridor, the old nanny turned to glance at Qi Wei.

Li Meng looked down at his Junior Sister, a faint smile touching his lips. “This is my Junior Sister, Qi Wei.”

The old nanny beamed, her face wrinkling further into a genuine smile. “The Immortal Master and his Junior Sister have such a good relationship!”

Qi Wei’s cheeks flushed slightly. She peeked at the old woman from behind Li Meng’s leg. Although the nanny looked a bit frightening, her words were pleasant.

Qi Wei did have a good relationship with Senior Brother. Although she had known her Master far longer, she preferred being with Li Meng. Why? She didn’t know. It just felt… right.

Li Meng rubbed Qi Wei’s head and turned back to the nanny.

“Old Nanny, did something happen here after I left?”

The nanny continued leading the way, her back hunched.

“Some things did happen,” she rasped. “Not long after the Immortal Master left, a group of cultivators from the Tianshi Mansion arrived. They built an altar at the mouth of the Yin Spring to suppress the Yin Fiend Qi. With that, the Young Lady was finally able to free herself.”

“Strange to say, but those cultivators didn’t give us any trouble. They even helped rebuild the mansion. The Imperial Astronomy Bureau bestowed the name ‘Qiyun Villa’ upon this place, giving us official status. It saved us a lot of trouble.”

She sighed. “They wanted the Young Lady to become the Mountain God of Qiyun Mountain—to forge a golden body for her. But to protect the remnant soul within the Heart Wood, she refused. It is a pity. Becoming a proper Deity is a path to longevity.”

She paused, looking back nervously. “Ah, Immortal Master, is this old woman talking too much?”

Li Meng shook his head. “Not at all. Please continue. How is Madam?”

“The Young Lady… ah, you will know when you see her.”

The sigh she released was heavy with melancholy.

Li Meng’s expression shifted. Had something happened to Mu Wanqing?

“We have arrived.”

They stepped into a separate courtyard.

Immediately, Li Meng’s gaze was drawn to the center.

A massive willow tree stood by the pond. It was 20 zhang tall, its canopy shading the entire courtyard. Bathed in moonlight, the leaves emitted a faint, fluorescent glow. The long branches danced in the wind, brushing the surface of the pond and creating ripples that shattered the reflection of the moon.

It was a scene of dreamlike beauty.

The old nanny led them to the trunk.

“To undergo metamorphosis and transform her form, the Young Lady had to abandon her human body and start cultivating from the beginning.”

She looked at the tree with profound sorrow. “I am old. I will not live to see the day she walks again.”

Li Meng stood silently under the willow. So this tree was Mu Wanqing. In just a few years, she had undergone such a tremendous change.

“Senior Brother, is she the old acquaintance you mentioned?” Qi Wei tugged at his sleeve.

As a cultivator, she sensed the tree’s peculiarity. It was alive—sentient—but in a deep slumber. Why a tree was Senior Brother’s friend, she didn’t care. A tree was just a tree.

Li Meng flicked his sleeve.

Swish.

Two golden talismans flew out, transforming into streams of light. They slapped onto the thick trunk—one high, one low.

Instantly, the atmosphere changed.

The Spiritual Qi of Heaven and Earth surged toward Qiyun Villa. The residual Yin Fiend Qi lingering in the corners was swept clean, leaving the air crisp and pure.

“These two talismans will assist Madam in her cultivation,” Li Meng said softly. “Please rest assured, Old Nanny.”

A Second-Grade Divine Firmament Spirit Gathering Talisman and a Third-Grade Divine Firmament Soul Stilling Talisman—priceless treasures given away without hesitation.

The old nanny, though mortal, felt the oppression lift from her heart. She knew this was the Immortal Master’s grace.

She turned and fell to her knees to kowtow.

But she didn’t hit the ground. An invisible cushion of wind caught her.

“Old Nanny, there is no need,” Li Meng said, lifting her up. “All actions follow karma.”

He looked down at Qi Wei. “Let’s go.”

Qi Wei nodded. She didn’t know why he was rushing, but leaving this spooky place was fine by her.

“Old Nanny, take care. This humble Daoist takes his leave!”

Before the words faded, they vanished.

The old nanny looked up, but the courtyard was empty. Only the wind remained.

She turned to the willow tree. “Young Lady, I’m sorry. The Immortal Master rarely visits, and this old body didn’t even serve him tea.”

The willow branches swayed gently, as if comforting her.

High Altitude, Southwest of Wei County

A giant purple gourd cut through the night sky, bathed in silver moonlight.

“Senior Brother,” Qi Wei said quietly, holding onto his wrist. “The old nanny… her Lifespan Limit is approaching, right?”

Li Meng lay back on the gourd, staring at the stars. Qi Wei crawled up and lay on his chest.

“Mn. She doesn’t have many years left. Next time we visit, she might be gone.”

“Senior Brother must have pills to prolong a mortal’s life. Why not give her some?”

Li Meng looked down at her. Their eyes met.

He wrapped an arm around her waist, holding her secure.

“Sometimes, living is not necessarily a good thing,” he said softly. “Her spirit is already gone. Without hope, living is just torment.”

Mu Wanqing would live on, waiting for her day of awakening. But the old nanny was destined to fade before that dawn arrived.