The little fox watched Li Yundong swallow the Human Essence Golden Pill, slack-jawed, screaming internally like a madwoman: Could it be this much of a coincidence? You could have swallowed at any other time, why specifically now! Heavens above, why didn't it choke him to death!!

She desperately wanted to intervene, but with two infamous powerhouses of the cultivation world outside the window, she dared not move an inch, terrified of being discovered.

After swallowing a few sips of water, Li Yundong immediately felt his throat ease considerably, a satisfied smile blooming on his face as he drowsily drifted back to sleep.

The two women outside the window heard the movement in the room. After a moment, the woman with the cool voice said, "Forget it, it doesn't seem like he's here. Let's go back first. That fox spirit can't escape our grasp anyway!"

The lively woman sighed lightly, "Guess we have no choice. What a bummer!"

With that, the two women transformed back into streaks of azure light and swiftly departed.

Though the little fox was practically tearing her hair out inside, she forced herself to remain utterly still, nestled in Li Yundong’s embrace.

After about ten minutes, the two streaks of azure light returned to the windowsill once more. A moment later, the cool-voiced woman sighed again, "It seems he really isn't here... Let's go."

The disappointment in her tone was palpable. The two women once again transformed into streaks of azure light and left.

Only then did the little fox leap out of Li Yundong's arms, spinning around to assume human form, before pouncing onto him, baring her teeth and claws, hissing fiercely in a low voice, "You bastard, give me back my Human Essence Golden Pill!"

The little fox perched on Li Yundong, her hands clawing towards his neck, grinding her teeth, wishing she could kill him, tear him open, and inspect his insides!

But just as she began to squeeze his neck, she was suddenly repelled by an unseen force, tumbling to the side.

The little fox looked through teary eyes as a rainbow of colored light began to emanate from Li Yundong’s body. Grief and deep sorrow warred with indignation and sadness in her heart.

She knew it. The Human Essence Golden Pill was dissolving inside him; the medicinal power was taking effect, assaulting Li Yundong’s meridians and flesh.

Thinking of the arduous journey she undertook to steal the Human Essence Golden Pill—a treasure she intended to use to leap from a Three-Tailed Demonic Fox to a Six-Tailed Spirit Fox—it was all for naught. By some twist of fate, this fellow had benefited!

Especially seeing the divine light flowing over Li Yundong, the little fox’s mouth curled higher and higher, tears constantly welling in her eyes: I risked everything, hiding with the immortal elixir, and didn't even get the chance to let the medicinal power dissolve! Now look—all my cautious vigilance and hard work have paved the way for this man!

The more the little fox thought about it, the more wronged she felt. With a loud cry, she finally gave up on restraint, no longer fearing that she might summon the two pursuers. She wept heartbrokenly, truly a picture of tragic beauty, like pear blossoms in the rain or wilting crabapples.

Although the little fox's cries were loud, the reinforced concrete house acted like a stern cage, preventing the sound from traveling at all. The two terrifying pursuers did not reappear.

The little fox cried for a while until her sobs gradually subsided, punctuated by hiccuping gasps. A rumbling sound then echoed from her stomach.

She was hungry.

It made sense. She had been hunted for days, running day and night without closing her eyes, let alone eating.

Man is iron, food is steel—even demons need to dine!

The little fox shot Li Yundong a hateful glare. If this guy hadn't swallowed the Human Essence Golden Pill, she would be eating him right now!

The little fox wiped her tears, sniffled, and her eyes, red from weeping, began scanning the room for anything edible.

After looking around for a moment, the little fox spotted the water glass on the coffee table. She picked it up, only to see it completely empty—Li Yundong had drunk every last drop!

The little fox was overcome with frustration and hurled the glass at Li Yundong. A natural wave of energy sprang from his body, deflecting the glass.

Seeing this, the little fox knew that the full force of the medicinal power had dispersed, and Li Yundong's internal energy was reaching an apex. She couldn't help but start crying again.

After another spell of weeping, the little fox could no longer bear the agony of hunger. Sniffling, she began searching the room for food, muttering mournfully under her breath as she searched: Master was completely right. These mortals are all worse than the last; the first one I meet swallows my golden pill!

It is said that a dog's nose is sharp, but a fox's nose is by no means inferior.

Even though the refrigerator door was tightly closed, the little fox followed the scent to the kitchen.

Having grown up in the deep mountains and practiced in the Fox Zen Sect, the little fox had never been to the mundane world. She knew a little about human affairs but had no idea what this 'refrigerator' was.

After pondering it for a while, the little fox cautiously and tentatively pulled the door open. A sudden burst of light flooded out, revealing an array of different foods inside the cold compartment.

Though the little fox couldn't figure out why opening the door caused the appliance to light up, she had no time for such puzzles now. Forgetting her sorrow, she gave one last sob and began to feast ravenously.

With the Human Essence Golden Pill consumed, its potent energy rampaged through Li Yundong’s body, attacking everything from his blood vessels to his muscle tissue. It was, in essence, a complete, bone-deep metamorphosis.

This was akin to a high monk in a Wuxia novel using the Marrow Cleansing Sutra or the Tendon Changing Classic to wash and reform his body.

Having satisfied her hunger, the little fox returned to Li Yundong’s side, sat cross-legged before him, and fixed him with a deeply aggrieved stare.

Li Yundong, having lived alone since the second year of high school, possessed a naturally lazy and slovenly physique, resulting in a slight paunch. Now, as the golden pill’s power coursed through him, the little fox could clearly see his muscles trembling rapidly.

Beneath his skin, the meridians appeared as if countless tiny rats were scurrying within him, causing his skin to ripple and undulate like waves.

The little fox knew this was the appearance of the medicinal power boiling at its peak. Such power not only cleansed the marrow and altered the tendons but also replenished the primal vital energy lacking in the human body.

Li Yundong’s aura surged. The pure Yang energy of his virgin body, stimulated by the pill’s essence, gradually flowed out from his ** acupoint, and his ** slowly erected a rigid tent.

The little fox, consumed by bitter resentment and endless regret, suddenly froze as her gaze fell upon the tent beneath Li Yundong. A thought violently shot through her mind.

This man swallowed my Human Essence Golden Pill. Why shouldn't I wait for the medicinal power to fully dissolve, then slowly guide him in cultivation? Once he achieves the Foundation Establishment stage, I can engage in cai yang bu yin (taking Yang to supplement Yin), drain him dry, and absorb his cultivation for my own use?

Wouldn't that be far more beneficial than swallowing the Human Essence Golden Pill myself?

With this realization, the little fox couldn't help but beam, her fox tail beginning to sway happily.

This was the most critical juncture of the pill’s energy assimilation. Having figured out a new plan, the little fox shifted her perspective and proactively began guarding Li Yundong as a Dharma protector.

However, she hadn't anticipated that this energetic cycle would last for three whole days!

Dozens of hours of waiting began to wear down the little fox. Coupled with the recent days of stress and fear, she finally couldn't hold on. Her body slumped, and she dozed off beside Li Yundong.

Just as the little fox was sinking into sleep, the brilliant seven-colored light surrounding Li Yundong slowly faded. He groggily pushed himself up from the carpet, rubbing his throbbing, almost splitting head with one hand, and used the other to steady himself.

His hand landed on something warm and soft, causing Li Yundong to freeze instantly. He tilted his head and looked down.

The sight that met his eyes made his mind buzz and nearly explode!

Lying next to him was a girl with twin horns braided into her hair, dark locks, features like a delicate painting, cherry lips, and long, dense eyelashes. Her eyes were tightly shut, and she was curled into a ball, as if dreaming of something unpleasant.

And Li Yundong’s hand was pressed directly against her chest. The girl did not wake; instead, her arm wrapped around him, murmuring drowsily, "Master, Chan'er knows she was wrong, Chan'er shouldn't have run down the mountain without permission. Please don't punish Chan'er."

"This!"

"What... what is happening?"

Li Yundong’s brain went blank. He felt utterly petrified, frozen in place, sweat pouring down him.

How did such a beautiful girl end up in my room?

Li Yundong frantically tried to recall the events before he fell asleep, but the alcohol only allowed him hazy memories of confessing to a beautiful senior in school, being rejected, getting drunk at a roadside stall, and then nothing else.

He didn't even remember how he got home!

Could this beautiful girl have brought me back?

Li Yundong couldn't help but lower his head to examine the girl beside him more closely.

The girl was dressed in an ancient-style long skirt, the material seeming like silk, yet also like satin. However, her skin was far more delicate than the smooth fabric. She was fair as snow. Curled up as she was, her height was hard to gauge, but judging by the hand resting on her, the softness that one hand couldn't encompass clearly indicated she was well-endowed!

"When did I ever have