The Oldest Disciple: Farming Intimacy to Become Immortal Chapter 71

"Most likely, she assumes my nominal master took a fancy to my talent in alchemy."

Li Meng knew exactly what was running through Senior Qu’s mind. She was undoubtedly wondering why such an esteemed figure would accept him, an old man, as a Registered Disciple.

Qu Rou’s expression softened into understanding.

"Let’s not speak of my master, Senior Qu. Look here—what is this?"

Li Meng produced an exquisite sandalwood box and offered it to her.

"Senior Qu, a gift from your junior."

A gift?

Qu Rou’s features relaxed further. She extended a slender, jade-like hand and accepted the box.

"What could it be?"

With a hint of curiosity, she lifted the lid.

Her pupils instantly contracted.

Nestled within lay a crystal-clear pill, radiating a soft spiritual luminescence. A rich, concentrated medicinal fragrance wafted out, and merely inhaling the scent made her feel as though her cultivation Bottleneck was loosening.

"With this Dustfall Pill, I have fulfilled my promise to you, Senior Qu," Li Meng said softly. "Your junior now has no lingering attachments. Soon, I will enter closed-door cultivation to attempt my breakthrough to Foundation Establishment."

Li Meng had come to Cloud Peak with two purposes: to deliver the pill and to say goodbye.

Qu Rou fell silent.

She quietly closed the box and stowed the Dustfall Pill away. Her gaze was complex as she looked at the little old man standing before her.

This parting might very well be their last.

Slowly, Qu Rou reached up with her slender hand and undid the strap of her dress at her shoulder. The silk fabric slid down slightly.

She didn't know what else to say. The only thing she could offer him now—perhaps for the last time—was the comfort of her body. It was a sorrowful surrender to the fate she believed awaited him.

Li Meng reached out, gently pressing his rough, aged hand over hers to stop her.

"Senior Qu, tonight... I only wish to hold you as we sleep."

A faint blush colored Qu Rou’s cheeks, and a trace of shyness flickered in her eyes. She gave a slight, almost imperceptible nod.

Seeing her agreement, Li Meng chuckled softly. He wrapped his arms around Senior Qu’s full, graceful figure, and they tumbled onto the bed together.

But the words of a man could rarely be trusted.

"Just holding" was a blatant lie.

For the next several days, Li Meng did not leave Cloud Peak. The domestic tranquility they shared was shadowed by the looming trial of life and death, making every touch feel desperate and precious.

On the afternoon of the fifth day.

Click.

The door to the secluded cultivation chamber on the peak opened. Li Meng emerged leisurely, straightening his blue robe.

"What are your chances?" Qu Rou’s cool voice rang out from above.

Li Meng turned and looked up. She was standing at the window on the second floor, her silhouette graceful against the light.

"About fifty percent."

Fifty percent? For someone of his age and aptitude, that was shockingly high.

Standing by the window, Qu Rou gazed down expressionlessly at the wrinkled old man.

"If you die... you will remain the only Dao Companion I ever have in this life."

Li Meng chuckled softly, stroking his white beard.

"And if I live, Senior Qu?"

Qu Rou glanced down at him for a moment longer before turning away from the window, disappearing from his view.

A faint smile touched Li Meng’s lips.

He turned, summoned his flying sword, and soared into the air. His aged figure vanished into the clouds and mist in an instant.

After leaving Cloud Peak, Li Meng did not return immediately to Moon Gaze Peak. Instead, he headed for the Message Bureau located within the main sect hall.

The Message Bureau was the Joyous Union Sect’s communication hub.

The sect’s territory was vast, spanning countless mountains and valleys. Without a designated meeting, finding a specific disciple relied almost entirely on luck. To solve this, the Message Bureau was established.

Here, one could dispatch a Message Flying Sword. These enchanted blades utilized the recipient’s sect token to track them down. As long as the target was within the sect’s boundaries, the message would find them.

For longer distances, the sect possessed Spirit Messaging Swords. These powerful tools could leave the mountain and search the entire continent. Though expensive and slow, they were relentless—as long as the target was alive, the sword would eventually find them. The sect often used these to locate missing disciples.

Joyous Union Sect. Main Sect Hall, Message Bureau.

The once-in-a-decade Outer Disciple Competition was currently underway, leaving the main hall of the central peak somewhat deserted. For both Outer and Inner Disciples, the competition was a grand spectacle. Cultivators, much like mortals, loved a good show.

Li Meng descended from the sky, landing in the plaza outside the pavilion. His aged body climbed the stone steps, crossing the threshold into the quiet hall.

Inside, the Message Bureau was spacious and empty. Behind a large counter sat a Foundation Establishment Senior.

Li Meng approached and bowed respectfully.

"Outer Disciple Li Meng pays his respects to Senior!"

The Inner Disciple behind the counter glanced up. Seeing an Outer Disciple at Qi Condensation—and a withered old man near his Lifespan Limit at that—he stifled a lazy yawn.

"What is it?"

Li Meng tossed ten spirit stones onto the countertop, followed by a sheet of talisman paper.

"This disciple wishes to send messages to two individuals listed on this paper. I ask that Senior arrange it promptly."

As he spoke, Li Meng slid another five spirit stones across the wood.

The Inner Disciple looked at the extra stones and grinned broadly, his lethargy vanishing.

"No hurry, no hurry! This Senior will handle it for you right away!"

With a sweep of his sleeve, he collected all fifteen spirit stones. He picked up the talisman paper to check the names, then turned to fiddle with a circular formation array mounted on a stand behind him.

Moments later, he returned.

"Done! The Message Flying Swords have been dispatched."

"My thanks to Senior! Your junior takes his leave."

Li Meng bowed again, retrieved his talisman paper, and turned to leave.

Watching the old man’s back recede, the Inner Disciple curled his lip slightly in thought. He rubbed his fingers together; that talisman paper was no ordinary item. Its texture was far superior to the common paper used by most disciples.

Inner Sect. Spirit Grace Peak.

A streak of sword light flashed across the sky, piercing the horizon toward Spirit Grace Peak.

It was a three-foot-long Message Flying Sword. It circled the peak’s defensive boundary, emitting faint pulses of spiritual power—a request for entry.

Soon, the encircling clouds parted, forming a tunnel. The sword shot through, heading toward the summit plateau where peach groves flourished. Elegant pavilions nestled among the trees, bathed in sunlight filtering through the leaves. The air was perfumed with the sweet fragrance of ripening fruit, creating an atmosphere of vibrant tranquility.

Within one such pavilion, two figures sat opposite each other, engaged in a game of Go.

One was a male cultivator in yellow robes; the other, a female in a purple gossamer gown.

Liu Siyue glanced sideways as the Message Flying Sword zipped toward her. She caught the message, read it quickly, and turned back to her companion.

"Senior Brother... let us conclude today’s game here, please? Your Junior Sister has a sudden matter to attend to and cannot accompany you further."

The yellow-robed cultivator smiled gently. He had noticed the arrival of the message.

"Then this Senior Brother shall not impose further upon your time."

Both rose and exited the pavilion. They took flight, soaring away from the peak until their paths diverged.

The yellow-robed man cast a final glance backward, watching Liu Siyue’s graceful silhouette disappear urgently into the distance. A thoughtful expression settled on his face.

Where is she going in such a rush?

"Should I follow?"

He hesitated. Discovery would ruin any chance of a future relationship with her. With a resigned sigh, he abandoned the idea, mounting his flying sword and speeding off toward the horizon, leaving only a fading trail of light in the sky.