“Continue strengthening your foundation and consolidating your roots!”

There was still one more person to wait for. She should be arriving soon.

Time passed slowly.

The sun dipped below the western horizon, painting the sky in hues of purple and gold. The Joyous Union Sect’s territory was vast, and the clamor from the distant Martial Arena did not disturb the tranquility of Moon Gaze Peak.

Night fell, and a full moon hung high in the sky.

Among the mountain peaks, an Outer Disciple at Qi Condensation carefully navigated her flying sword through the shadows.

Whenever she noticed someone approaching—even if it was just a passing Inner Disciple—she hastily lowered her altitude, afraid of being noticed by a Foundation Establishment Senior.

In truth, her caution was meaningless.

The Divine Sense of a Foundation Establishment cultivator far exceeded that of a Qi Condensation disciple. Long before she could spot them, they would have already swept over her with their senses. Her frantic dodging and weaving likely looked ridiculous to any expert watching from above.

“This should be Moon Gaze Peak, right?”

Yuan Baobao hovered on her sword, clutching a map in her hand.

She looked up at the cloud-wreathed peak before her, then down at the parchment. She glanced around, searching for landmarks to confirm her location.

“Mhm, yes, this is the place!”

Yuan Baobao stowed the map away and took a deep breath.

Then, she cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted toward the summit.

“Senior Brother Li! Senior Brother Li! Are you there? It’s me, Yuan Baobao!”

Her voice was lively and clear, carrying far into the night sky.

Fortunately, within a hundred kilometers of Masked Moon Peak, there were no other cave dwellings of Inner Disciples or Golden Core Elders. The only residences here belonged to the True Disciples of Supreme Elder Nangong, and the distances between them were vast. No matter how loud she shouted, no one else would hear her.

“Senior Brother! Senior Brother!”

Yuan Baobao called out more urgently, her voice rising in pitch.

“Junior Sister, no need to shout. Your Senior Brother is coming!”

The clouds encircling Moon Gaze Peak suddenly parted, revealing a passageway to the summit. A figure clad in blue robes, appearing elderly and weathered, flew out on a sword.

Yuan Baobao narrowed her eyes, and then they lit up with recognition.

It really was Senior Brother Li!

She quickly urged her sword forward to meet him.

“Senior Brother!”

With a sweet cry, she leaped from her flying sword, soaring through the air toward him. The sword beneath her feet obediently chased after her before darting into the storage pouch at her waist.

Li Meng smiled warmly and opened his arms, catching Junior Sister Yuan as she threw herself at him. Her delicate form nestled into his embrace, and he held her tightly.

Yuan Baobao’s cheeks were flushed a rosy pink.

“Senior Brother, what are you doing here?” she asked curiously, glancing past him at the peak summit visible through the mist.

“Let’s go inside first.”

Holding Junior Sister Yuan securely, Li Meng flew back through the passageway. They arrived above the summit pavilion and descended gracefully, drifting down onto the small path outside.

Li Meng led her by the hand into the pavilion and sat down at the stone table. Yuan Baobao, naturally and without hesitation, settled herself onto his lap.

“Senior Brother, this place is so magnificent!”

She looked around with wide eyes. The space atop the peak was like a living landscape painting, far grander than anything she had seen before.

“This is my Master’s cave dwelling. I’m staying here temporarily.”

Master?

Yuan Baobao looked curiously at Li Meng’s aged face.

“Senior Brother, which Golden Core Grandmaster did you take as your Master?”

“It’s Grandmaster Ruoshui, a True Disciple of Masked Moon Peak.”

A flicker of envy passed through Yuan Baobao’s eyes. “Senior Brother, congratulations!”

Li Meng reached out and gently booped her nose.

“It’s not necessarily a good thing. Your Senior Brother here is nearing his Lifespan Limit and has a Five Spirit Roots waste body. Who would genuinely take someone like that as a disciple?”

Yuan Baobao’s expression froze for a moment.

Right… why would they? Not only was his aptitude poor, but he had only a few years left to live.

“Alright, let’s not dwell on these troublesome matters. I called you here because there’s something I need to entrust to you.”

Yuan Baobao nodded lightly, her slender, jade-like arms wrapping around his neck.

“Tell me, Senior Brother.”

Li Meng flicked her forehead playfully. “Junior Sister, you’d better stop tempting your Senior Brother!”

Yuan Baobao gave him an utterly charming glance, full of coquettish allure.

“Senior Brother really… it’s not like I wouldn’t give it to you.”

Looking at the enchantingly alluring girl in his arms, Li Meng’s gaze gradually grew heated. Why was she becoming more and more seductive lately? She hadn’t been this forward before.

“Junior Sister, tell me honestly. Did you make a breakthrough in your Charm Technique and decide to test it on me?”

Yuan Baobao’s expression stiffened slightly, a trace of panic flashing in her eyes.

H-how did he know?

“N-no… well… I’m sorry, Senior Brother!” She stole glances at his aged face, fearing his anger.

Li Meng chuckled softly, reaching out to gently pinch her chin.

“Junior Sister, who exactly are you practicing your Charm Technique to seduce?”

A deep blush spread across her cheeks, and a look of grievance appeared on her face. Her eyes swam with pitiful tears.

“I… I just thought Senior Brother was interested in… that sort of thing. So… so I wanted to make Senior Brother happier!”

Li Meng looked at her aggrieved expression with an amused smile.

“Really?”

Yuan Baobao nodded vigorously. “Really! Really!”

She withdrew her Charm Technique. The fox-like seductive aura vanished instantly, and she returned to being the pure, adorable Junior Sister Yuan he knew.

“Alright, let’s talk business now.”

This time, Yuan Baobao didn’t act up. She sat obediently in his lap, listening.

“I am about to enter seclusion to attempt my Foundation Establishment. Before entering this Death Seclusion, there are matters weighing on my mind.”

Foundation Establishment?

Yuan Baobao’s expression changed. Could he really do it?

Li Meng felt her body tense up. He gently stroked her silky hair.

“I have to give it a try. Your Senior Brother doesn’t have much time left.”

Yuan Baobao fell silent.

Yes. It was do or die. He had to take the gamble.

She leaned forward and planted a soft kiss on his wrinkled cheek.

“I’ll be waiting for you, Senior Brother.”

Li Meng chuckled and kissed her cheek in return.

“Hehehe! That tickles, Senior Brother!” She giggled as his beard brushed against her skin.

After a moment of quiet intimacy, the pavilion grew still.

Li Meng took out a storage pouch and pressed it into her hand.

“This contains some pills I prepared for you. They should be sufficient for your own Foundation Establishment needs. Junior Sister, do you know Junior Sister Chen Lan?”

Senior Sister Chen?

Yuan Baobao peeked inside the pouch, and shock painted her face.

If others knew what was inside… once she left the sect, even fellow disciples might kill her for it. She looked at Li Meng with pure admiration.

If he succeeded, he would undoubtedly become a major figure within the sect.

She nodded. “I ran into her last time when I came looking for you.”

Li Meng smiled slightly. Good. That saved him a trip.

“Deliver a Flawless Foundation Pill from me to Junior Sister Chen. It is something I owe her.”

Junior Sister Chen Lan’s Affection had already reached its maximum value.

She deserved a Flawless Foundation Pill.