The Oldest Disciple: Farming Intimacy to Become Immortal

Chapter 261: Then I’ll Owe a Big Favor

Silence.

The alchemy room was as tranquil as a tomb.

Liu Ruyu cracked one eye open, stealing a glance at her Junior Brother.

It’s been so long. Why is there still no movement?

She dared not release her Divine Sense to check the Furnace, fearing she might disturb his delicate control.

Just then, Li Meng opened his eyes. Sensing her gaze, he turned his head sharply.

Liu Ruyu panicked and squeezed her eyes shut. She waited a beat, then opened them slowly, feigning a calm awakening.

“Junior Brother… what happened?”

Li Meng chuckled, stroking his beard.

“This Furnace is indeed extraordinary,” he praised, eyeing the massive bronze cauldron. “It isolates space to prevent the fragrance from leaking, effectively locking the medicinal essence inside. Before it was damaged, this must have been a Heaven-Reaching Spiritual Treasure. No… perhaps even a Profound Heaven Supreme Treasure.”

On the other side, the Ancestor, Liu Ruyan, opened her eyes. The faint spiritual light surrounding her body faded.

Liu Ruyu straightened her posture, continuing to channel her Qi.

“Junior Brother, did we succeed?”

Master’s Furnace suppressed all phenomena, so there were no tell-tale signs of success or failure.

Li Meng formed a seal with both hands. Colorless spiritual light shimmered around him.

“Rise!”

He uttered the command softly.

Grind.

The heavy bronze lid lifted, revealing a crack.

Whoosh!

Five emerald-green pills shot out from the depths of the cauldron. Li Meng caught them in a jade bottle with practiced ease.

As the lid opened, a dense, concentrated medicinal fragrance exploded outward.

Liu Ruyan waved her sleeve. A gentle breeze swept through the room, carrying the scent out the window before it could settle.

Liu Ruyu inhaled sharply.

“Is that… High-grade Quality?”

Her heart pounded. A mere thousand-year-old Longevity Fruit had produced High-grade Longevity Pills? And five of them in a single batch?

This was unbelievable.

Li Meng stood up and bowed deeply to the Ancestor.

“Thank you, Ancestor, for assisting this disciple. With your exceptional talent, you likely have no use for these pills, but if there is ever a place where I can be of service, please do not hesitate to ask. This disciple will never refuse.”

Only five pills. It was far below his expectations, likely due to the low age of the fruit.

Liu Ruyan glanced at him. Her figure blurred, transforming into light as she teleported away.

Only her hoarse voice remained, echoing in the empty room.

“Then let this favor be a big one. The Furnace is yours!”

Li Meng froze.

A flash of genuine surprise and joy crossed his eyes.

“Thank you, Ancestor, for bestowing this treasure!”

He wasted no time. He formed a seal, and five-colored light burst from his body. A beam shot from his Sword Nurturing Gourd, enveloping the Bronze Mystic Cauldron. The massive artifact shrank rapidly until it was no bigger than a toy, flying into the gourd.

Li Meng patted the gourd at his waist, grinning.

This favor was huge. Once he repaired the cauldron, its power would be unimaginable.

He turned to Liu Ruyu, who had also stood up.

“Thank you, Senior Sister, for your assistance.”

Liu Ruyu smiled gracefully. “Junior Brother, no need for words. With Master here, I was just making up the numbers. On the contrary, I should thank you. Observing your technique has given me profound insights. This is a Fated Chance most Alchemists only dream of.”

Li Meng straightened his back. He waved his sleeve, and a small jade bottle flew toward her.

“Senior Sister’s insights are her own chance. Let’s keep our accounts separate. You helped me; this is a humble gift. Please accept it.”

Liu Ruyu caught the bottle. She probed it with her Divine Sense.

Her eyes widened.

Flawless… Dustfall Pill?

She looked at Li Meng with a resentful gaze.

“Is Junior Brother so eager to distance himself from me?”

This wasn’t a humble gift. It was a heavy treasure, a Dustfall Pill of flawless quality—something that could help a cultivator break through to the Golden Core stage. Such a gift meant he wanted to clear all debts between them.

Facing her gaze, Li Meng hesitated. He knew her pride. He knew she sought a perfect Dao Companion, and he knew he wasn’t it.

“Senior Sister…”

Liu Ruyu waved her hand, cutting him off. She stored the bottle away.

“No need to say more. I understand. I accept this gift.”

She smiled, her eyes twinkling with a strange light.

“Since Junior Brother wants to keep accounts separate, then I, having gained so much today, must also thank you properly later. You wouldn’t refuse, would you?”

Li Meng narrowed his eyes. Her words carried hidden weight.

“Naturally. I would not refuse.”

“Good.” She winked at him. “I need to meditate on my insights. Please, feel free to leave.”

“I take my leave.”

Li Meng bowed and walked out.

Liu Ruyu sat back down on her cushion, watching his retreating back with a dreamy expression.

Her Master had taught her: If you can’t find a satisfactory companion, walk alone. But if you find a man you fancy… snatch him by any means necessary.

She didn’t know him well enough yet. But she had time. She would prove to him that she was the best choice.

Upper Pavilion, Ancestor’s Room

Liu Ruyan lay on her bed, sighing.

Her disciple was smitten. Li Meng’s talent was exactly what Ruyu admired most. A woman’s greatest weakness was love; once moved, she became foolish.

But a smile touched Liu Ruyan’s lips.

“What an interesting little fellow.”

He had so many women, yet he wasn’t a simple lecher. If he were, he wouldn’t have kept Ruyu at arm’s length, nor would he have remained unmoved by the Ancestor’s own true appearance.

Click.

The door to Li Meng’s room opened.

Qi Wei, who was boredly lying on the windowsill, lit up. She jumped down and hopped toward him.

“Senior Brother! You’re finally back!”

Seeing her run to him, Li Meng smiled. He crouched down, opening his arms wide.