After closing the door, Li Meng turned and crossed the courtyard. His lean figure soared into the air, flying away on his sword.

Within the Inner Sect of the Joyous Union Sect, at Cloud Peak.

“Outer Disciple Li Meng pays his respects to Senior Qu!”

Hovering on his flying sword outside the peak, Li Meng bowed respectfully toward the mist-shrouded summit. Several strands of Divine Sense swept over him from various directions. A moment later, the mist churned and parted, opening a path. Li Meng guided his sword inside.

In the courtyard outside the pavilion at the summit, Li Meng descended and landed. He strolled leisurely toward the pavilion’s main door. With a soft click, he pushed it open and entered. Ascending to the second floor, he saw a graceful silhouette behind a partition curtain, reclining on a bed.

“Senior Qu, this is a magic treasure Senior Shi asked me to deliver to you!”

Li Meng sat down beside Qu Rou with a smile, his Divine Sense reaching into the Storage Bag at his waist. The mid-grade magic treasure, the Verdant Wood Ring, flew out, hovering before him while emanating a rich, emerald-green wood-attributed Spiritual Power.

Qu Rou glanced coldly at the Verdant Wood Ring. It was indeed well-suited to be her life-bound treasure. But accepting it would make certain matters… complicated. Her expression impassive, she looked at Li Meng. “Surely you are aware of Senior Brother Shi’s intentions?”

Li Meng chuckled softly and took her delicate hand in his. “What are Senior Qu’s own plans?”

If Li Meng possessed any virtue, it was self-awareness. In the eyes of cultivators, cultivation was paramount. It was no different for Qu Rou. He knew he could not stop her from eventually seeking a partner for “Dao discussion.”

Qu Rou’s face turned colder. She glared at Li Meng and pulled her hand back. “My affairs are none of your concern!”

[+10 Affection] [+50 Sub-profession XP]

The system prompts made Li Meng smile inwardly. What an insincere woman.

He took her delicate hand again. Qu Rou offered a token struggle before finally sighing in resignation. “Senior Brother Shi’s character is acceptable. If he can form his Golden Core, he would be the most suitable candidate for ‘Dao discussion.'”

Though he knew she would inevitably seek a partner for “Dao exchange,” hearing it directly from her lips still caused a slight pang in Li Meng’s heart. If Qu Rou succeeded in forming her Golden Core, seeking a male partner for “Dao discussion” was a necessity. The Dual Cultivation techniques of the Joyous Union Sect could not be practiced alone; without the harmonization of Yin and Yang energies, one risked Qi deviation. If she had to find a partner, a newly advanced Golden Core Grandmaster would be most appropriate. And Shi Mu was undoubtedly the strongest candidate.

Qu Rou glanced at the wizened old man beside her. Seeing he seemed somewhat displeased, a flicker of helplessness passed through her eyes. “Compared to the Great Dao of longevity, matters of the heart are trivial. In this lifetime, I have never developed feelings for anyone. I did not in the past, and I will not in the future.”

Never developed feelings for anyone? A flash of disappointment crossed Li Meng’s eyes.

“Senior Qu, what about me?” He stared directly at her beautiful face.

Facing his expectant gaze, Qu Rou hesitated. She did not avoid the question but gave him an answer directly. “I can give you my person and my heart, but not my affection.”

Li Meng looked at her with confusion. “Senior Qu, what is the difference between heart and affection?” Weren’t they the same?

Qu Rou shook her head. “The heart resides beneath cultivation. Affection resides above it.”

Understanding dawned on Li Meng’s face. He realized now that in Qu Rou’s heart, cultivation was absolute. Pursuing the Great Dao was her lifelong aspiration; everything else was secondary.

Li Meng chuckled and stroked his beard. “Senior Qu, that is enough for me.”

Seeing him looking foolishly content, a fleeting smile touched the corner of Qu Rou’s mouth. With a wave of her hand, the Verdant Wood Ring spun and transformed into a streak of green light that vanished into her Storage Bag.

“If Senior Brother Shi intercepts you tomorrow, tell him this: if he can form his Golden Core, I am willing to walk the path with him.”

Having heard her earlier words, Li Meng no longer cared about the message. “Senior Qu, let us rest.” He reached out and took her hand once more.

Time flowed on, and the night grew deep…

The next morning.

Click.

The pavilion door opened, and Li Meng strolled out leisurely. He glanced toward the cliffside stone platform but did not disturb Qu Rou. Soaring into the air, he flew away on his sword. On the stone platform, Qu Rou sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion and opened her eyes. She watched the figure disappear into the mist for a brief moment before resuming her seated cultivation.

Outside Cloud Peak.

“Disciple-nephew Li!”

As expected, he was waiting. Li Meng had just left the peak when a figure on a flying sword approached from afar, blocking his path. It was, of course, Shi Mu. Facing the expectant Senior, Li Meng chuckled and bowed.

“Congratulations, Senior Uncle Shi! Senior Qu asked me to relay this: if you can form your Golden Core, she is willing to walk the path with you.”

Shi Mu’s eyes lit up; joy flooded his face, impossible to conceal. “Haha! Good! Good! Good!” He laughed heartily, repeating the word three times. His long-cherished wish had finally received an answer. The usual coolness vanished from his face as he looked kindly at Li Meng.

“If I can become Dao Companions with Junior Sister Qu, you will have contributed greatly. This is what you deserve.” With a wave of his hand, Shi Mu sent a Storage Bag flying toward Li Meng.

Li Meng stored it away without looking and bowed again. “My thanks to Senior Uncle Shi. This junior will not refuse such kindness.”

Shi Mu turned to look toward Cloud Peak. After much hesitation, he decided not to disturb her. She had said that if he could form his Golden Core, she would walk the path with him. Then that was all he needed to do. He would wait for Qu Rou to form hers as well. When both succeeded, that would be the time for them to meet again.

Shi Mu flew away on his sword. Li Meng watched the receding figure until it vanished.

“Time to go back.” Li Meng chuckled softly, stroking his beard as he flew toward the Outer Sect.

I hope Senior Uncle Shi doesn’t develop any Heart Demons over this…

Li Meng thought of the Heart Demon Tribulation one must face when attempting to reach the Nascent Soul stage. To finally achieve one’s wish and become partners with Qu Rou, only to discover she does not love him—that she is only willing to engage in “Dao exchange” with no possibility of true intimacy.

While it was true many disciples in the Joyous Union Sect formed temporary partnerships solely for cultivation purposes, when men and women practiced together constantly… developing feelings over time was almost inevitable.