He had only been away for a little over three months, yet the already dilapidated courtyard had fallen into even greater disrepair.

“Forget it, it’s not like I’ll be staying here much longer anyway!”

His nominal Master had told him to seek her out upon his return to the sect. It seemed Masked Moon Peak would likely become his new home.

With a soft creak, Li Meng pushed open the door and stepped inside. He did not head for the study, nor did he go to the alchemy chamber. Instead, he collapsed onto his bed and fell into a deep sleep almost instantly. His Storage Bag still held a large quantity of medicinal liquid that required the final Pill Condensation step, a process that would consume a considerable amount of time.

The auction fair in the Market City was also drawing near. There was much to be done. He needed to conserve his energy and build up his strength to tackle every pending matter in one concerted effort. Only then would he attend the auction to make his fortune and, finally, go see that nominal Master of his.

Time flowed by. The sun gradually sank in the west. The bedroom was utterly silent, save for the soft rhythm of Li Meng’s breathing.

Suddenly, a gust of wind blew outside. The window was gently pushed open, and a graceful figure flew in through the opening. Her lithe form landed lightly on the floor.

Qu Rou stood by the bed, gazing at her Junior Nephew Li as he slept soundly. Her thoughts were inscrutable. Though her expression appeared calm, a flicker of struggle and confusion passed through her eyes. After a long while, Qu Rou let out a soft, melancholic sigh. She sat on the edge of the bed, staring blankly at the darkening sky.

“Overestimating my own capabilities?” A faint smile touched Qu Rou’s lips. Once certain matters were understood clearly, both mind and body felt significantly lighter.

But in the next moment, the smile vanished, replaced by an expression as cold as frost. Qu Rou thought of a certain person, and killing intent gradually thickened in her eyes. That was someone who absolutely had to die. If she did not kill him, her cultivation would be forever stuck at the Golden Core stage. The Heart Demon tribulation during her future attempt to reach the Nascent Soul stage would become an insurmountable chasm.

“Se… Senior Qu!”

Li Meng opened his eyes. He rubbed them in disbelief, wondering if he was seeing things. Was he mistaken? Was that graceful figure sitting by his bedside really Qu Rou?

“Am I dreaming?”

Li Meng sat up, opened his arms, and embraced her delicate form. He buried his face in her silken hair and took a deep breath. “Senior Qu, you smell so nice!”

Qu Rou didn’t know whether to laugh or cry as she shot him an exasperated look. Did this Junior Nephew truly think he was dreaming?

The night deepened gradually. Tonight, Little Bamboo Peak seemed somewhat… tumultuous.

The next morning, a fresh, clean scent of bamboo drifted into the bedroom. The fragrance made Li Meng’s nose twitch, and he slowly opened his eyes. A flash of confusion passed through them before the warm, soft sensation in his arms made him look down. What he saw caused his expression to change abruptly.

“Se… Senior Qu?”

He actually saw her beautiful face right there before him! Although Foundation Establishment cultivators did not strictly require sleep—a short period of meditation could restore all bodily functions—they had not lost the ability to do so.

“Was it a dream?” Li Meng reached up and plucked a tuft of his own beard.

“Hiss!” He sucked in a sharp breath through his teeth, grimacing in pain.

“Pfft!” Qu Rou had woken up at some point unnoticed. Seeing him suddenly pull out a chunk of his own beard, she couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh.

Not a dream! It wasn’t a dream! Li Meng felt both pain and amusement, his expression rather comical. “Senior Qu, you… how did you come here?”

Qu Rou gave him a sidelong glance. Why she had come—didn’t he know? “What, can’t I come?” Her face turned cold.

Li Meng hurriedly tightened his embrace. “Of course you can! Senior Qu can come whenever she wishes!”

“You… let go!”

Li Meng chuckled. Let go? Not a chance. “I’ll let go in just a moment!”

Qu Rou’s delicate brows furrowed slightly, and Li Meng promptly released her. After all, she was a Peak Late-Stage Foundation Establishment cultivator; a healthy dose of fear was only sensible. If she truly lost her temper, a single finger could cripple a minor Qi Condensation cultivator like him.

“You… you broke through again?” It was only then that Qu Rou noticed his aura had grown stronger yet again.

Li Meng gave an easy laugh. “Just luck, mere luck!”

Luck? Qu Rou felt somewhat speechless. Breaking through three minor realms within just a few short months—if this were spoken aloud, no one would believe it.

“Is there hope for Foundation Establishment?”

Li Meng placed his hands behind his head and sighed. “I don’t know. This Junior Nephew doesn’t want to die either. I plan to recklessly consume large quantities of pills to force a Breakthrough.”

Qu Rou fell silent. Would there be enough time? The gap between the ninth layer and Peak Qi Condensation was a major hurdle. Countless Outer Disciples spent their entire lives stuck there, unable to advance. Even if he could reach the peak, facing Foundation Establishment—that even greater chasm—it truly was just “a sliver of hope.”

“Life and death are fated; wealth and honor lie with Heaven. This Junior Nephew can only gamble for that sliver of hope!”

…

Half an hour later, the main door of the house opened. Li Meng and Qu Rou walked out one after the other and sat opposite each other at the tea table.

“Senior Qu, when do you plan to enter your life-and-death seclusion?”

“No rush.” Senior Qu was only 114 years old. The lifespan of a Foundation Establishment cultivator was around two hundred years. Reaching her current stage at her age was still considered genius-level talent, even if a gap remained between her and the true prodigies of the Tianlan Continent. “I will enter seclusion after you either experience your Sitting Death or successfully establish your Dao Foundation.”

There were no second chances for breaking through to the Golden Core stage. If one failed, the possibility vanished forever.

A faint smile touched Li Meng’s lips. After sharing a cup of tea, Qu Rou stood up gracefully.

“I’m leaving.”

Her exquisite form rose with the wind as she mounted her sword. “Senior Qu, I’ll come find you tonight!” Li Meng called out.

“You wouldn’t dare!” Qu Rou’s clear, cool voice carried back from the air.

Li Meng smiled. “Then Senior Qu can come find me!”

She glanced back over her shoulder, shooting him one last glare, while Li Meng offered an awkward grin in response.

“Ah… I really need to reach Foundation Establishment soon.” That feeling of having the desire but lacking the strength was truly detestable. He frustratedly drained his teacup in one gulp. It was still quite hot.

Outside the peak, a slight smile finally appeared on Qu Rou’s lips once more. Her robes fluttered like streamers as she soared through the sky, resembling an immortal fairy ascending to the heavens.