Chapter 52: Sitting Death and Dao Dissipation
Looking at the graceful figure reclining on the lounge chair, Li Meng chuckled softly and walked over. Bending down, he scooped Junior Sister Yuan up into his arms.
Yuan Baobao was startled awake, a flicker of panic flashing in her eyes. Her lovely body tensed, struggling for a fleeting moment before she went soft in his embrace.
"Senior Brother Li!"
Yuan Baobao's eyes curved into crescents as her delicate, jade-like hands wrapped around his neck. Li Meng looked down at her pretty face with a kindly expression. "Junior Sister Yuan, what brings you here?"
She blinked up at him. "It’s been so long since I’ve seen you, Senior Brother! But you shouldn’t strain yourself. Put me down."
"It is no trouble. This old Senior Brother still has a bit of strength left," Li Meng said with a smile, carrying her toward his door. Yuan Baobao's face flushed a soft pink as she glanced around guiltily. Please, let no one see this.
With a soft click, Li Meng pushed the door open with his foot and carried her inside. The door closed behind them with a quiet thud.
Half an hour later.
...
Back in the courtyard of Little Bamboo Peak, Li Meng sat by the tea table with Junior Sister Yuan nestled in his lap.
"Junior Sister, with the Outer Sect Grand Competition approaching, do you and Junior Brother Xuan have confidence in ranking within the top ten?"
The Grand Competition was essentially a benefit provided by the sect to its Outer Disciples. The top fifty would receive a low-quality Foundation Pill. The top ten would receive a medium-quality one. The top three, however, would be rewarded with a medium-quality Foundation Pill and a low-grade magic treasure.
Yuan Baobao let out a soft sigh. "Senior Brother, I’m only at the eighth layer of Qi Condensation. Senior Brother Xuan is only at the ninth. Reaching the top fifty is doubtful, let alone the top ten."
Li Meng reached out and gently stroked her smooth, tender cheek. Her eyes curved into crescents again, a hint of coquettish charm flashing between her brows as she blinked at him.
"Senior Brother, take care of your health," she teased playfully.
Li Meng pinched her chin lightly, smiling at her snow-white face. "Participation is what matters most. After the Grand Competition ends, you and Junior Brother Xuan should enter closed-door cultivation. Strive to reach Peak Qi Condensation within three years. As for Foundation Pills... this Senior Brother has plenty to spare!"
The competition was an excellent opportunity to gain combat experience; thus, anyone at the ninth layer or above usually participated.
"Plenty to spare?" Yuan Baobao gave a tinkling laugh and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Senior Brother, you’re not just boasting, are you?"
While the spirit plants required for Foundation Pills weren't exceedingly rare, five-hundred-year-old specimens were still a challenge to find.
Li Meng feigned indignation, puffing out his cheeks. "Is your Senior Brother the kind of man who boasts?"
Yuan Baobao pressed her lips together to hide a smile, leaning forward to plant a kiss on his cheek. "Don’t be angry, Senior Brother! This Junior Sister believes you."
How strange, she thought. When did Senior Brother’s cultivation suddenly surpass mine? I could sense his level just a few months ago. Now, I can’t perceive it at all.
"Senior Brother, you should also focus on your cultivation diligently," she said softly. "There might still be hope for you to reach Foundation Establishment."
Did he truly have enough time? Yuan Baobao didn't know, but she didn't want Li Meng to meet his end and have his Dao dissipate so soon.
Li Meng chuckled warmly. "Alright, this Senior Brother will focus on his cultivation."
"Senior Brother, I have to go now. I’ll come see you again in a few days!" Yuan Baobao rose from his embrace. Her graceful figure leapt into the air, and she glanced back from atop her flying sword, blinking once more at the old man by the tea table.
Li Meng watched her receding figure until she vanished beyond the peak. Only then did he return to his house.
Back in his alchemy room, Li Meng sat cross-legged on his meditation mat. The most valuable second-grade pill... He began searching through his collection of pill recipes.
Foundation Pills were valuable, but to fetch a high price, their quality needed to be exceptional. He could sell Flawless pills, but not in large quantities; that would attract too many covetous eyes. If he suddenly produced a dozen Flawless Foundation Pills, even the Joyous Union Sect would be tempted to investigate. Second-grade Flawless pills were on an entirely different level compared to first-grade ones.
"The Ageless Pill? Now that’s interesting!" A faint smile touched his lips.
While cultivators could slow their aging upon reaching Foundation Establishment, many female cultivators spent precious time practicing specific techniques to preserve their youth. An Ageless Pill could save countless hours of cultivation for anyone who cared about their appearance.
"You're the one," Li Meng declared. "The Ageless Pill!"
He studied the recipe, but the more he read, the more his expression pained. Although it was only a second-grade pill, refining it required spirit plants over a thousand years old! Moreover, it required over a dozen different varieties of such ancient flora.
"No wonder it's the dream of every female cultivator," he muttered with a wince. "This will be a costly endeavor."
Fortunately, his harvest from the Scarlet Forbidden Ground had provided almost everything. Otherwise, gathering these ingredients might have taken decades.
"I’m missing one ingredient... a thousand-year Jasper Fruit." Li Meng stood up. "I hope the Thousand Treasure Pavilion has one in stock."
He stepped into the courtyard, where the sunlight was particularly glaring today. Mounting his sword, he soared into the sky, flying amidst the towering peaks with his robes fluttering gracefully.
Suddenly, Li Meng halted mid-flight. He turned toward the Inner Sect.
"Is that... a Spiritual Power tide?"
In the distance, a dual-colored radiance enveloped the horizon, sending visible waves of light radiating in all directions.
"We bid a respectful farewell to the Grandmaster!" Li Meng bowed deeply with clasped hands, his voice solemn.
A Golden Core Grandmaster had reached their Lifespan Limit, undergoing Sitting Death and Dao Dissipation. Their lifetime of accumulated cultivation was returning to the world, nourishing the very land they had once trod upon.