Chapter 80: Qian Family Fortress and the Woman in Red

“This… Senior Brother, you are too kind!”

Xue Lun looked troubled, staring at the storage bag Li Meng had pressed into his hand. Everyone knew Senior Brother Li possessed the Five Spirit Roots—a so-called waste constitution. He needed cultivation resources more than anyone else.

Wait… a fellow disciple of Masked Moon Peak?

Xue Lun looked up, shock painted across his face.

“Senior Brother Li, have you joined Masked Moon Peak?”

Li Meng chuckled softly, stroking his beard. “This Senior Brother was fortunate to be accepted as a disciple under Elder Ruoshui. I am now a disciple of Masked Moon Peak.”

Xue Ruyu was a disciple of Ancestor Nangong Wan. Li Meng was now a disciple of Nangong Wan’s disciple. In terms of strict hierarchy, Li Meng should address Xue Ruyu as “Senior.”

Fortunately, on the mountain, ability took precedence over seniority. While calling her “Senior” wouldn’t be technically wrong, Xue Ruyu was still just a young girl. Li Meng’s old face couldn’t bring himself to utter that title.

“Junior Brother, don’t refuse. This is my gift for Junior Sister Xue!” Li Meng stuffed the storage bag firmly into Xue Lun’s hand, then turned to leave.

Junior Sister Yuan was in dire straits. He needed to hurry to the “Qian Family Fortress” to investigate. He had no time to dawdle.

“Senior Brother Li, you… ah, well then, I’ll thank Senior Brother Li on behalf of that girl!” Xue Lun quickly caught up, escorting him to the main gate of the Foreign Affairs Hall.

“Junior Brother, this Senior Brother takes his leave!”

Li Meng summoned the wind and rose into the air, soaring away on his flying sword.

Standing outside the gate, Xue Lun watched the figure recede into the distance. Senior Brother Li had changed greatly. Just moments ago, he had almost failed to recognize him.

Only when Li Meng had completely vanished beyond the peaks did Xue Lun withdraw his gaze. He looked down at the storage bag in his hand.

“Senior Brother is very thoughtful.”

This was no small favor. The contents were enough to ensure his daughter could attempt Foundation Establishment smoothly.

Joyous Union Sect. Outer Sect.

Among towering peaks that pierced the clouds, a sword-riding figure weaved through the mist. Mountains flashed by on either side.

Li Meng flew on his sword, holding a topographic map in his hand.

“It seems it’s demonic path cultivators from the State of Yue causing trouble.”

His trip to the Foreign Affairs Hall hadn’t been in vain. There, Li Meng had learned about the “Qian Family Fortress,” a cultivation family located on the border between the State of Zhao and the State of Yue.

Cultivation families on the borderlines were often like reeds in the wind—playing both sides for profit. Usually, the sect alliances of both countries turned a blind eye, tacitly allowing these families to maintain relations with both sides.

Half a year ago, the Qian Family Fortress sent a Message Flying Sword to the Joyous Union Sect pleading for help. The sect dispatched a team to investigate.

Golden Core Elder “Wen Huanhuan” accepted the mission and sent her disciples, including Junior Sister Yuan, to assess matters.

The Qian Family Fortress had no Golden Core cultivators. The family head was merely at the late-stage Foundation Establishment Great Perfection realm.

Li Meng put away the map. With one hand forming a seal, a golden talisman flew out from his storage bag. It circled him twice before attaching itself to his back.

Li Meng summoned the wind and shot skyward, his speed skyrocketing.

“Come!”

With another hand seal, the flying sword he had been riding accelerated and caught up to him. He stored it away. His soaring figure vanished from sight in the blink of an eye.

State of Zhao. Eastern Border, Thousand Cloud Mountain Range.

Named for the dense, lingering mists perpetually floating above its peaks, the “Thousand Cloud Mountain Range” served as the demarcation line between Zhao and Yue.

Though remote, the range boasted long waterways and rich spiritual energy—an excellent place of resonance that attracted numerous Rogue Cultivators. Over time, cultivation families had spread throughout the region.

Night fell, a full moon hanging high in the sky.

High above a forest, a figure bathed in moonlight hovered mid-air. His yellow robes fluttered gently in the wind.

“Is that Qian Family Fortress?”

Not far away in the forest stood a mansion compound. Red lanterns hung densely under its eaves. The festive decorations suggested a celebration… yet something felt off.

Li Meng squinted at the compound, a flicker of doubt crossing his eyes.

Was this a “fortress”?

In Li Meng’s mind, a fortress implied high walls and fortifications—not simply an oversized mansion.

After leaving the Joyous Union Sect, he had flown eastward for over half a month to reach this place.

Li Meng glanced at his Relationship List.

[Yuan Baobao: Luck 10]

“Hanging so many red lanterns… is someone holding a wedding banquet?”

He scanned the compound. It was too quiet. Despite the festive decor, an eerie atmosphere pervaded. The place seemed empty—only red lanterns were visible; no people could be seen or heard. It gave off an unsettlingly sinister feeling.

“I’ll see what mischief is afoot!”

Li Meng flew toward the mansion.

With his Divine Firmament Talisman and Sky Soaring Talisman in hand… unless a Nascent Soul cultivator intervened, even a Golden Core enemy wouldn’t terrify him. At worst, he could flee.

Today’s “Qian Family Fortress” was eerily silent. The red lanterns cast long, blood-colored shadows.

Knock, knock, knock!

In that profound silence, the compound’s main gate suddenly resounded with rhythmic knocks.

Outside the gate, Li Meng listened intently.

As he approached, he sensed a powerful dissonance. He knew he’d entered a formation—likely a low-level illusion array designed to disrupt Divine Sense.

Soon, footsteps sounded behind the door—light, graceful steps drawing closer.

Creak.

The mansion gates slowly opened.

A beautiful woman wearing a red dress appeared.

Seeing her, Li Meng felt a flash of admiration—she was truly beautiful.

Dressed in a festive crimson gown, she looked like a bride on her wedding day. Her hip-length hair was partly coiled atop her head and partly cascaded over her shoulders. The form-fitting dress perfectly outlined her curves—a truly voluptuous silhouette carried with graceful poise.

Everything about her was pleasing to the eye.

“Young Master, you are…”

The beautiful woman looked puzzled at Li Meng.

Young Master?

Li Meng smiled, stroking his white beard. He didn’t look young anymore. Being called “Young Master” felt strange indeed.

He performed a casual cupped-fist salute.

“This humble one is Inner Disciple of the Joyous Union Sect, ‘Li Feiyu’!”

The woman started, then hurriedly bowed in return.

“So honored is the Immortal of the Joyous Union Sect! This humble wife pays respects to the Honored Immortal!”

She quickly stepped back two paces, clearing the path.

“Honored Immortal, please enter!”

Li Meng flicked his sleeve and stepped across the threshold.

Passing by her side, he swept a glance over her from head to toe, the corner of his mouth revealing a barely perceptible smile.

The woman closed the main gate and hurried after him.

“Honored Immortal, please, this way!”

As they walked deeper into the mansion, Li Meng asked, “What happened at the Qian Family Fortress?”

A long corridor stretched ahead of them. They walked single file—the beautiful woman in front, Li Meng behind.

Her full waist swayed from side to side with a mesmerizing rhythm.

Being an upright gentleman, he had originally intended to “see no evil,” but the woman swayed too enticingly. Unconsciously, Li Meng found himself admiring the undulating figure ahead of him.