The Oldest Disciple: Farming Intimacy to Become Immortal

Chapter 266: The Disappointed Liu Ruyu

Jiang Ping’s expression shifted. A flicker of genuine surprise lit her eyes.

Junior Brother Li is only at the early Foundation Establishment stage. How can he resist my Charm Technique so easily?

The cloying, fox-like aura around her vanished instantly. She took two steps back, putting a polite distance between them.

She smiled gracefully, blinking at him with sudden clarity.

“It was just a moment of annoyance, nothing major. I won’t trouble Junior Brother Li further. If my complaints affected the unity of the Five Inner Disciples, my sin would be too great.”

Five Inner Disciples?

“Is it Chen Sheng or Su Meng?” Li Meng asked calmly.

Besides himself, only two men were among the chosen five.

Jiang Ping shook her head with a bitter smile. “Junior Brother, this matter has nothing to do with you. Senior Sister takes her leave!”

She cupped her hands in a formal salute, then turned, her hips swaying with practiced allure as she walked away.

Li Meng narrowed his eyes at her retreating figure.

“Senior Sister,” he called out, his voice steady. “I don’t know what deal you made with Senior Brother Su, but if it is merely one-sided harvesting, it will damage your foundation. At best, you lose vitality; at worst, your Dao Foundation will crack beyond repair. Do not sacrifice your future for temporary gains.”

Chen Sheng had been in seclusion since boarding. The only person who could pressure Jiang Ping was Su Meng.

Her aura was unstable, her Yin energy leaking dangerously. This was a classic sign of excessive, unbalanced Dual Cultivation. In the Joyous Union Sect, true cultivation required mutual benefit—Yin and Yang complementing each other. Only one-sided harvesting caused such deficits.

Jiang Ping froze mid-step.

She turned slowly, bowing deeply to Li Meng. Her face was solemn.

“Thank you for the reminder, Junior Brother. This Senior Sister… is aware.”

She turned back and walked away, disappearing around the corner.

Li Meng sighed, shaking his head. He continued his leisurely stroll down the corridor. He was willing to help, but he wouldn’t interfere in another’s karma uninvited.

The cultivation world was cruel. The weak were prey to the strong. Disciples with mediocre talent like Jiang Ping had to trade everything—dignity, body, soul—just to stay in the race. In the Joyous Union Sect, this was simply the way of things.

Middle Pavilion

Jiang Ping stopped outside a closed door. Her expression shifted rapidly—resentment, resignation, fear.

She exhaled a turbid breath and pushed the door open.

“Your Charm Technique is decent. Why can’t you calm your mind?”

An impatient voice lashed out from the inner chamber the moment she entered.

Jiang Ping’s face smoothed into a mask of calm. She walked into the bedroom.

Su Meng sat cross-legged on the bed, wearing only loose trousers. He looked her up and down with critical, dissatisfied eyes.

“Don’t waste time.”

Jiang Ping’s cheeks flushed with humiliation.

Her relationship with Su Meng wasn’t just transactional. Her family, the Jiang Clan, was a vassal of the Su Clan. Her very presence in the sect was a gift from them. She couldn’t refuse him.

“Senior Brother,” she pleaded softly, “you are already at Grand Perfection. I am willing to help you consolidate your foundation, but my vitality is damaged. If we don’t practice Yin-Yang complementation… my Dao Foundation might shatter. Please, show mercy.”

Su Meng scowled.

If he had a choice, he wouldn’t touch a mediocre woman like her. The flesh was willing, but the palate grew bored. However, she was right—she was selected by the Ancestor for the Kongming Hall mission. Breaking her would cause trouble.

“Useless,” he spat. “Fine. As you wish. Get up here.”

Relief washed over Jiang Ping’s face. She untied her sash, letting her purple dress pool on the floor.

Her jade-white, voluptuous body was exposed to the air. She stepped toward the bed—one step, two steps—and climbed in, drawing the curtains shut.

Upper Pavilion, Liu Ruyu’s Room

Liu Ruyu poured tea for Li Meng, her movements elegant and practiced.

“Why is Junior Brother so concerned about Junior Sister Jiang?”

Li Meng sipped his tea and recounted the encounter without hiding anything.

Liu Ruyu blushed slightly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

“Rest assured, Junior Brother. If Senior Brother Su goes too far, Master will punish him. Jiang Ping is a key member of the mission.”

She stole a glance at him. He really is a good person. Worrying about a casual acquaintance? Most disciples wouldn’t bat an eye. One-sided harvesting was common; as long as the Dao Foundation remained intact, the sect didn’t interfere in consensual trades.

Li Meng smiled, setting down his cup.

“I was just a bit concerned. But enough of that. Senior Sister, I plan to enter Secluded Cultivation for a while. I came to let you know.”

Seclusion?

Disappointment flashed in Liu Ruyu’s eyes. That meant no more tea, no more discussions on the Dao.

“When will you emerge?”

“When we reach the Kongming Hall.”

Liu Ruyu nodded absentmindedly. She had plenty of his pill formulas to study, but…

She glanced at him. Wouldn’t it be better if we could Dual Cultivate? An Alchemist needed strong cultivation to support their craft.

But then she remembered her Master’s words: Li Meng possessed the Five Spirit Roots waste body. He couldn’t Dual Cultivate.

A pang of regret struck her. She had hoped to use Dao Exchange to deepen their bond. That path was closed.

“Ah… what should I do?” she sighed aloud, the words slipping out.

“Senior Sister? Do about what?” Li Meng asked, curious.

Liu Ruyu panicked. Her hand trembled, tea splashing onto the table.

“N-nothing! Just… remembering some instructions from Master.”

Li Meng nodded, too polite to pry into the Ancestor’s business.