Su Chan knew she absolutely couldn't evade this one this time; she looked pleadingly at Li Yundong and whispered, "Can I tell you when we get back?"

Li Yundong glanced at Su Chan with resignation. "Sigh, I'm going to be on the front page of the news tomorrow!"

The two left the park with differing thoughts, and thankfully, few people were around, preventing them from being stopped by the curious onlookers drawn by the commotion.

Li Yundong flagged down a cab, and after they took the taxi back to their apartment, Li Yundong deliberately put on a stern face, cleared his throat, and declared, "Spill it! Confession leads to leniency!"

Su Chan kept her head down, nervously twisting the hem of her clothing. This pitiful appearance made it impossible to associate her with the agile, ghost-like master she had been moments before.

Su Chan and Li Yundong settled onto the sofa, and she began to recount, detail by detail, how she obtained the Renyuan Golden Elixir, how she was hunted, and how she eventually encountered Li Yundong. She told the entire story, omitting only the crucial fact that she was a fox spirit.

Since its founding by the Fox Elder Panshi in the early Tang Dynasty under Emperor Xianzong, the Chan School of the Fox Sect, while not a mainstream righteous sect, had maintained a decent reputation. However, after the third generation Sect Master passed away at the end of the Tang Dynasty, Tianji Xuanhu ascended as the fourth leader, and the Chan School of the Fox Sect birthed a prodigy rarely seen in a millennium!

After taking over as Sect Master, Tianji Xuanhu single-handedly ignited bitter enmity between the Northern and Southern Daoist Sects, leading to a bloody feud between Buddhism and Daoism that indirectly caused the collapse of the late Tang era. Although her power was formidable, reaching the highest level of the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox within the sect, her actions were so outrageous that they incited the wrath of both humans and deities across the cultivation world. Not only was she hunted, but she dragged the entire Chan School of the Fox Sect down, reducing them to despised heretics.

Thinking of past events, Su Chan felt deeply wronged: In thousands of years, how many creatures—tigers, leopards, jackals, bears, deer, snakes, and boars—had achieved spiritual maturity? Why were only foxes perpetually slandered?

While figures like Daji, Meixi, and Bao Si certainly played their part, the more significant factor was that Tianji Xuanhu had thoroughly alienated the entire cultivation community. This resulted in every practitioner, regardless of time or place, smearing the Chan School of the Fox Sect, denouncing it as merely Wild Fox Chan!

Thus, Su Chan greatly feared that if Li Yundong discovered she was a fox spirit, he would react like everyone else—gnashing his teeth in hatred and calling for her demise.

Li Yundong sat stunned after listening to Su Chan’s explanation. Everything that had previously made no sense suddenly clicked into place. Yet, one thing remained utterly baffling. He couldn't help but ask dreamily, "Are there truly immortals in this world?"

Seeing that Li Yundong hadn't pressed further about her sect, Su Chan instantly felt a wave of relief. She blinked and quoted, "With the myriad things in existence, what could possibly not be? Moreover, the records of the myriad Immortals are filled in the bamboo slips. If the path to immortality exists, why should it be nonexistent?"

Although Li Yundong was a Chinese literature student, he had skipped most of his college classes, making his degree largely nominal. Hearing this classical prose, his eyes glazed over. "What did you say?"

Su Chan responded, "You know Ge Hong, right?"

Li Yundong nodded. "Yes, I do!"

Su Chan blinked again. "Then you know Ge Hong himself cultivated to become an immortal, right?"

Li Yundong laughed wryly. "Ge Hong was an immortal? That’s a curious tale; it's the first time I’ve heard that!"

Su Chan explained, "Oh? Do you know who Ge Hong's master was?"

Li Yundong chuckled, "I know that one—it was Zheng Yin!"

Su Chan pressed, "And before Zheng Yin?"

"This isn't hard either—it was Grand Pure Immortal Elder Ge Xuan!" Li Yundong boasted with a smile.

Su Chan continued, "See? You even know Ge Xuan is called the Grand Pure Immortal Elder, which proves Ge Xuan was himself an enlightened immortal through cultivation. Let me ask you this: do you know who Ge Xuan’s master was?"

Li Yundong paused. "No."

Su Chan revealed, "It was Zuo Ci, the founder of the Alchemic Cauldron Sect!"

Zuo Ci! That name resonated like thunder in Li Yundong’s ears. Having been a Three Kingdoms enthusiast since childhood, he was certainly familiar with Zuo Ci.

In both the Records of the Three Kingdoms and Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Zuo Ci appeared as an immortal figure. Hearing Su Chan say this, Li Yundong's heart jolted, and he thought with hidden astonishment: Could the ancient records be true? Was Zuo Ci truly an immortal?

Seeing Li Yundong lost in thought, his expression etched with shock, Su Chan pressed her advantage. "Zuo Ci founded the Alchemic Cauldron Sect, inheriting the teachings of Grand Pure Immortal Elder Ge Xuan. Ge Xuan passed it to Zheng Yin, who then taught Ge Hong. Under Ge Hong's guidance, the Alchemic Cauldron Sect of Daoism flourished, becoming famous throughout the world. Ge Hong also authored the immortal classic of cultivation, Baopuzi, which has been revered as scripture by cultivators for millennia!"

Su Chan elaborated, "The sentence I just quoted comes from Ge Hong's Baopuzi - Inner Chapters. Its meaning is that this world is full of wonders, so why wouldn't immortals exist? Human knowledge and experience are finite; how can one use limited insight to gauge an infinite world?"

Li Yundong stared blankly, his expression peculiar. "That works? No way. Isn't that devilish logic?"

Su Chan patiently clarified for Li Yundong. "Ge Hong states clearly in the Baopuzi: Immortals are not born of a specific race; ordinary people can cultivate immortality! Furthermore, Ge Hong proposed, 'Immortality can be acquired through learning, just as millet and grain can be sown and harvested. It is very plain. However, there has never been anyone who reaped fine grain without plowing, nor anyone who achieved eternal life without diligence.'"

Shaking her head, Su Chan recited the cultivation classics her own master had forced her to memorize: "‘When molding creation, none is more spiritual than humanity. Thus, those who grasp the shallow aspects can command all things; those who grasp the profound can achieve long life. ... Even Peng Zu was merely a man, not an extraordinary being whose longevity was naturally bestowed. Just as the myriad trees cannot imitate the pine and cypress, and the countless insects cannot emulate the turtle and crane, thus they are short-lived. If a human possesses wisdom and clarity, able to practice the Way of Peng Zu, they can achieve the same accomplishment.’"

"The meaning is this: humans are the most spiritual of all beings. Because humans understand the laws and philosophies governing the universe, they can learn Daoist arts and achieve the goal of becoming immortal. Even figures like Peng Zu or Lao Tzu were not inherently long-lived non-humans; they achieved longevity because they understood the Dao, not by fate."

Su Chan noticed that after her lengthy discourse, Li Yundong was staring vacantly, clearly adrift. Frustrated, she ran her hands through her hair. "Ugh, to sum it up in one sentence: achieving immortality is neither natural nor fated. Humans are the most spiritual beings and possess the subjective initiative to learn. As long as one firmly believes in the reality of immortals, diligently cultivates the Dao, and receives guidance from a wise master, one can certainly attain eternal life. It’s so easy to understand, why don't you get it? You’re making me furious!"

Li Yundong’s face looked strange. He waved his hand. "Wait a moment, let me digest this. I’m a bit scrambled!"

Su Chan pouted, annoyed. "What’s so confusing? If you think what I said is false, then the Renyuan Golden Elixir in your body certainly isn't fake, is it?"

Li Yundong’s body stiffened. The doubt on his face gradually vanished. He thought to himself: Right, this superhuman strength I possess—that can’t be fake, can it?

Are there truly immortals in this world?

This world actually has immortals!

Yes, humanity still cannot explain countless things. Why should we arbitrarily decide that supernatural powers and spirits absolutely do not exist?

Confucius also said: Beyond the six cardinal directions, let us leave the discussion untouched! This shows that even the Sage recognized the existence of demons and immortals.

Many people in Western countries still believe in the existence of God and Heaven, their faith and understanding unshaken by technological advancement. Why should our country deny all of this in the modern age?

Li Yundong's eyes shone brighter and brighter. He felt as if an immense door, with a creaking sound, was slowly opening for him in the darkness. Beyond the door was a world he had never seen or heard of!

Li Yundong turned his head to look at Su Chan, his gaze penetrating, examining her up and down so intently that Su Chan became flustered. She muttered nervously, Did he see through my origins?

The little fox’s heart pounded like a drum; she turned her head, afraid to meet Li Yundong’s eyes.

Li Yundong had no idea what the little fox was thinking. Seeing her turn away revealed a profile that was seven-tenths beautiful, exquisite, and deeply moving. He couldn't help but laugh, "Then are you an immortal too?"

Upon hearing this, Su Chan instantly breathed a huge sigh of relief, letting go of her only fear. Her burden lifted, she deliberately put on an adorable expression, touched her cheeks with two fingers, and laughed, "I am but a minor, carefree immortal!"

Seeing her charming and innocent demeanor, Li Yundong laughed heartily and beckoned her over. "Even if you are an immortal, you're still my girl!"

Su Chan beamed, giggling as she scrambled closer to Li Yundong. She nudged his chin with her head, acting spoiled and fawning, "My lord, you aren’t mad at your little girl, are you?"

Li Yundong asked, confused. "Why would I be angry with you?"

Su Chan thought to herself: I was originally planning to drain you dry.

But she wouldn't dare utter those words. The little girl’s eyes darted around, and she giggled, "I’ve kept these things hidden from you for so long!"

Li Yundong intentionally stiffened his expression, feigning anger. "If this hadn't happened today, how much longer would you have kept it from me!