Half an hour later.

…

Curled against Li Meng’s chest, Qu Rou seemed lost in thought. Her gaze was clear, yet her internal musings remained inscrutable.

“Senior Qu, you should begin preparations for your life-and-death seclusion. The Dustfall Pill will be ready by next month,” Li Meng’s voice, slightly hoarse from the prior exertion, broke the quiet.

“There is no rush. Let us wait a little longer,” she replied softly.

She felt compelled to see the fate of her junior disciple-nephew with her own eyes—to know for certain whether he would live or die.

“With Senior Brother Chen gone, does Senior Qu have another candidate in mind?”

Senior Brother Chen?

A flicker of coldness crossed Qu Rou’s face. “Do not mention that man in my presence!” The faint tremor of anger in her voice from within his embrace made Li Meng narrow his eyes slightly.

So, there is some sordid history between Senior Brother Chen and Senior Qu. That wager at the Martial Arena wasn’t as simple as it appeared.

Li Meng didn’t press the issue; to do so would only invite her wrath. After a long silence, Qu Rou’s cool voice drifted out again, tinged with a sudden melancholy. “Breakthroughs and enlightenment can only be achieved by oneself. Mark my words, Disciple-Nephew Li: on the path to immortality, you can only truly rely on yourself. Do not place absolute trust even in those closest to you. Maintaining a sliver of caution might one day save your life.”

“The malice in the human heart is far beyond your imagination. Even your own Dao Companion can become the very person who severs your immortal fate.” Her words were icy, carrying the weight of a deep-seated resentment.

Qu Rou had lived for over a century; her experiences were naturally more profound than Li Meng’s. He could only listen, committing her warnings firmly to memory. Then, he simply held her a little tighter.

“Senior Qu, this junior has taken your lesson to heart.”

The full moon hung high as the night deepened into silence.

The next day, Cloud Peak.

Li Meng did not wake until the sun was high in the sky. Opening his eyes, he found the warm, graceful form that had been nestled against him was gone, leaving only a lingering trace of her scent. He sat up with a yawn and noticed his clothes neatly folded at the foot of the bed. A faint smile touched his lips.

If we were mortals, being able to marry someone like Senior Qu would be the greatest fortune a man could ask for.

Chuckling to himself, he dressed and explored the pavilion. It was empty; there was no sign of her upstairs or down. With a soft click, he pushed open the main door and stepped out. He didn’t go searching for her, instead ambling leisurely along the mountain path toward the edge of the peak.

The path terminated at a stone platform overlooking a sheer cliff that plunged thousands of feet into the mist. There, sitting on a meditation cushion and facing the morning sun, was a graceful figure deep in her breathing exercises. Li Meng stopped at the edge of the platform, smiling as he watched her elegant silhouette from behind. He did not disturb her.

His aged form then leapt into the air, riding his sword into the distance. In the blink of an eye, he vanished into the sea of clouds.

Not long after he departed, Qu Rou opened her eyes. Her gaze lingered on the space where he had vanished. After a long moment, she let out a soft sigh before closing her eyes to resume her meditation. Visible strands of spiritual power gathered from the air and flowed into her body, as a dual-colored radiance of water and wood attributes emanated from her.

Outside Cloud Peak.

As Li Meng exited the Maze Formation, several strands of Divine Sense swept over him.

Sigh… Beautiful women attract stares no matter where they go. Even in the cultivation world, he thought with some internal resignation.

Qu Rou’s beauty was legendary within the Inner Sect. Few female cultivators could rival her; those who did were mostly the True Disciples of Supreme Elders. Ordinary Inner Sect Foundation Establishment disciples had little chance to interact with such elites, making Qu Rou the primary prize in their eyes.

“Disciple-Nephew Li! Hold on!”

A figure on a sword shot over from afar with incredible speed, blocking Li Meng’s path. Li Meng brought his sword to a halt and recognized Senior Brother Shi Mu.

Li Meng bowed respectfully. “Greetings, Senior Shi!”

Another one of Senior Qu’s suitors, he thought, rolling his eyes inwardly while keeping his head lowered. He’s likely here to use me as a messenger again.

Shi Mu swept a glance over Li Meng, surprise flickering in his eyes. He managed to advance despite reaching his Lifespan Limit? From his aura, he is not far from Peak Qi Condensation.

Shi Mu offered a thin smile but didn’t dwell on it. The cultivation world was full of oddities; recklessly consuming pills could boost one’s realm temporarily, even for a “waste.”

“Did Disciple-Nephew Li stay overnight on Cloud Peak?” Shi Mu inquired.

Li Meng looked up with a peculiar expression. “How did Senior know that?”

Surely this Senior hasn’t been keeping Cloud Peak under constant surveillance.

A hint of awkwardness flashed in Shi Mu’s eyes. “Ah… I happened to see you flying toward Cloud Peak yesterday.”

“Ah, I see,” Li Meng said with a knowing nod. “What business brings Senior to seek me out?”

Shi Mu straightened his posture and waved his hand. A ring-shaped magic treasure flew from his storage pouch, orbiting Li Meng with a soft hum. “This is a mid-grade magic treasure—the ‘Verdant Wood Ring.’ I obtained it by chance. I would like you to deliver it to Junior Sister Qu on my behalf.”

A mid-grade magic treasure? Genuine surprise flickered in Li Meng’s eyes. Senior Qu possessed dual water and wood spiritual roots; the Verdant Wood Ring would be a perfect life-bound treasure for her. This was no small gift; even True Disciples would covet such an item.

With a smile, Li Meng stored the ring away. It transformed into a streak of green light and vanished into his pouch. “Rest assured, Senior. I will ensure it reaches Senior Qu.”

“Mmm.” Shi Mu responded with an indifferent nod. “Then I shall trouble you with this.”

He rode his sword away, disappearing into the clouds in moments. Li Meng glanced at the retreating back.

[Name: Shi Mu] [Age: 137] [Luck: 7000] [Aptitude: Dual Water-Fire Spiritual Roots] [Cultivation: Peak Late-Stage Foundation Establishment] [Affection: 10]

Such high Luck! It seems another Golden Core Grandmaster will soon emerge from the Joyous Union Sect. Shi Mu was clearly one of the fortunate few destined for greatness. Li Meng chuckled softly and stroked his beard. A beautiful woman would always have men watching her, but when the woman was Qu Rou, who could blame them?

He formed a seal and flew off.

Joyous Union Sect, Outer Sect. Little Bamboo Peak.

Li Meng descended from his sword and landed lightly in his courtyard. He was not alone. Reclining on a lounge chair was a graceful figure dressed in the cyan rainbow robes of an Outer Sect female disciple. She lay there with her eyes closed, basking in the sun.

From Li Meng’s perspective, the view was truly one where “horizontal lines form ridges and side views reveal peaks.”