Feng Na and Cheng Cheng stared blankly for a moment before Cheng Cheng pulled Feng Na into the corner of the teaching building's stairwell, successfully hiding them from the swarm of teachers heading downstairs.

Cheng Cheng whispered, "Nana, whatever the outcome, this matter with Li Yundong is finally over. I believe we'll have news today or tomorrow. Why don't we notify Li Yundong first, let him know this good news?"

Feng Na’s face lit up, "Great idea!" But her expression quickly fell, "His phone hasn't been on for ages. Where am I supposed to reach him?"

Cheng Cheng thought for a moment and suggested, "Tell Zhou Qin, she should have a way? While we’re at it, we can ask if it was Zhou Qin who smoothed things over."

Zhou Qin was driving toward the university when the phone on her brand-new car’s mount began vibrating. She inserted her earpiece and pressed the answer button, "Hello?"

Feng Na said, "Zhou Qin? It’s Feng Na."

Zhou Qin acknowledged her, "Mmm, what is it?"

Feng Na, barely containing her excitement, exclaimed loudly, "Zhou Qin, was it you who stepped in to settle the matter at the school auditorium for Li Yundong?"

Zhou Qin’s car jerked violently. She squeaked to a stop by the roadside, momentarily stunned, "Me? No, wait—what did you say? You said Li Yundong’s issue is resolved?"

Feng Na glanced at Cheng Cheng in astonishment and whispered, "It wasn't her..."

Cheng Cheng stared blankly, "If not Zhou Qin, then who was it?"

At that precise moment, a black Hongqi sedan was parked outside the main gate of Tiannan University. Although its silhouette lacked the sleek elegance of foreign luxury cars, its rigid black lines exuded a solemn and imposing aura.

Inside the car sat Zi Yuan, dressed in a simple white dress indistinguishable from those worn by ordinary people. She held a phone to her ear, listening to a clear, middle-aged male voice on the line: "Immortal Master Zi Yuan, the matter you commanded has been seen to."

Zi Yuan's voice was as cool and detached as ever. She stated calmly, "Mm, I know. I will make a note of it when we return."

The middle-aged man's voice became slightly unsteady with emotion, "That is truly too kind of you, I..."

Zi Yuan cut him off before he could finish, hanging up the call without another word.

Ruan Hongling, seated next to her in the driver's seat, looked at her senior sister with undisguised admiration. "Senior Sister Zi Yuan, how are you so clever? Knowing to use that method to lure him out? Ah, why didn't I think to use the sect's influence in the mundane world to check that fellow's background?"

Zi Yuan glanced at Ruan Hongling and smiled faintly, "Hongling, as cultivators practicing in the mortal realm, we cannot always rely on our power or the sect’s backing to act recklessly. You must use your mind more often when handling affairs; do not be impatient or quick to anger."

Ruan Hongling was inherently stubborn and rarely listened to anyone, except for her senior sister. She nodded, "So, when that fellow arrives, we make our move?"

Zi Yuan shook her head, "No rush. Let’s observe first."

Ruan Hongling snapped back angrily, "What is there to observe! A lustful scoundrel who aids tyrants and walks with demons should be eradicated immediately!"

Zi Yuan’s gaze suddenly turned severe. She glared at Ruan Hongling and spoke sharply, "If you utter another word filled with such malice, you will return to the sect immediately, forbidden from descending the mountain for a year!"

Ruan Hongling rarely saw Zi Yuan so furious. She was instantly intimidated, nodding dumbly, afraid to speak.

But once she regained her composure, she felt deeply wronged and saddened. Tears welled up in her eyes: Senior Sister Zi Yuan had never been so harsh with her. She was actually angry at her just for the sake of that Golden Core successor! Was that obscure prophecy so important to her?

The two sat silently in the car. Despite the intense sun outside and the lack of air conditioning, neither of them showed a single bead of sweat. Instead, a faint white mist enveloped them, lending them an ethereal, profound aura.

Li Yundong remained at the temporary hotel for the third day. For the umpteenth time, he went downstairs to the bank to check his card balance, only to discover one piece of good news and one piece of bad news!

The good news was that his parents had finally wired money over!

The bad news, however, was that because his bank card was overdrawn, the entire amount was immediately seized by the bank to cover the debt! He couldn't withdraw a single penny!

Li Yundong squatted beside the ATM, clutching his head, on the verge of tears but unable to cry!

What was he supposed to do? His parents wouldn't have money to send next month, and he still owed the bank! If he failed to repay, things would get exponentially worse! All the expenses for the little girl—food, clothing, lodging, travel—were money...

What a tragedy!!

A dignified successor of the Golden Core stage, a formidable figure capable of snatching the magical artifacts of the Zheng Yi Sect's inner disciples empty-handed, was now penniless!

A single coin can foil a hero; the ancients were not wrong!

"Mother, what am I to do? Isn't this forcing an honest person into prostitution? Heavens, what now? Must I swallow my pride and borrow money? But who can I even ask?" Li Yundong was utterly dejected. He walked back toward the hotel with his head down, and as he reached the entrance, he heard Su Chan talking inside the room.

Li Yundong started, thinking someone had entered. He rushed inside only to see Su Chan looking up at him, the little girl shouting into the phone, "He’s back. You can tell him yourself."

Li Yundong walked over to the girl and silently mouthed a question, "Zhou Qin?"

The girl shook her head.

Li Yundong took the phone, puzzled, and said, "Hello?"

Feng Na’s voice came through the receiver, "Oh my goodness, Mr. Li, Master Li, my Young Master Li! We’ve finally tracked down your esteemed presence!"

Li Yundong replied lazily, "What is it, Miss Feng? How did you get this number? Did Zhou Qin tell you?"

Feng Na giggled, clearly in high spirits, "Who else would it be? Kidding aside, listen, you need to get to school right now, there’s something incredibly important!"

Li Yundong snorted, "Is it to publicly announce my expulsion?"

The sound of Feng Na and Cheng Cheng bursting into hearty laughter came through the line, carrying a mischievous glee and sense of triumph. Li Yundong couldn't help but grow angry, "Hey, you two heartless women, are you very pleased that I’m about to be expelled?"

Feng Na and Cheng Cheng laughed even harder.

Li Yundong suddenly pulled the phone away from his ear, holding it like a walkie-talkie, and shouted angrily, "Are you calling just to mock me? That’s enough! I’m hanging up!"

Feng Na finally managed to stop laughing. She suppressed a giggle and yelled, "Hey, hey, don’t hang up, don’t hang up! It’s good news!"

Li Yundong was so mad his nose nearly crooked, "Good news that I’m expelled? Are you trying to drive me crazy?"

Feng Na couldn’t help but let out another giggle, "No, who said you were expelled? Hurry to school, quickly! You’re fine, you’ve been exonerated!"

Li Yundong was shocked and overjoyed, almost unable to believe his ears, "You—what did you say?"

Feng Na boomed, "Your situation has been taken care of! I heard the principal say it myself just now!"

Li Yundong was overcome with euphoria—this was truly a lifeline thrown to a drowning man!

He exclaimed, "Really? You’re not tricking me, are you?"

Feng Na teased, "How would I dare trick you about something like this? After all, you took the blame for me once!"

Li Yundong burst into a triumphant laugh. Thank goodness, his financial lifeline from his parents wouldn't be cut off for the immediate future!

After laughing for a moment, Li Yundong cleared his throat and said in a deliberately affected tone, "Oh dear, they were the ones who wanted to expel me before, and now they’re the ones saying they won't. This puts a person in a rather difficult position, doesn't it!"

Feng Na and Cheng Cheng couldn't help but laugh heartily again. Cheng Cheng leaned in and shouted teasingly, "Li Yundong, don't look so modest after getting what you want! Get over here and treat us to a meal!"

The mention of treating them sent a jolt through Li Yundong’s heart. He was currently in debt, with only a few red bills in his pocket—how could he afford a feast?

Thinking of this, Li Yundong couldn't help but smile bitterly. Truly, poverty shrinks ambition, just as a lean horse loses its mane! The little girl was completely right: Before understanding the Way, difficulty lies in the Method; after understanding the Way, difficulty lies in wealth!

Where was he going to find money? Alas, if it were just him, it would be manageable, but what about the little girl? Keeping a beauty these days was indeed a difficult undertaking! Li Yundong wrestled with the thought.

Fortunately, Li Yundong had a broad mind. After a brief struggle, he pushed the worry aside and feigned anger on the phone, "What? Me treating? If I hadn't stepped up to take the heat initially, you two would still be under disciplinary action! Hurry up, come fetch me in a grand sedan, or I swear, I won’t come back!"

Cheng Cheng was about to retort angrily when Feng Na pushed her aside and rushed to speak into the phone, "Okay, okay, where are you right now? We’ll come pick you up."

Li Yundong chuckled smugly and told her where he was staying on the phone.

Feng Na replied, "Got it. Wait for us there!"

Li Yundong hung up, feeling much better. He stretched languidly, "Little girl, can we go out now? I haven’t seen any movement for three days!"

Su Chan was clearly naive and lacked strong vigilance. She considered it and said, "Alright, let’s go out and see. Hiding here all the time isn't a solution."

About fifteen minutes later, Su Chan’s phone rang again. Li Yundong and the little girl went downstairs to the hotel lobby, where they saw Cheng Cheng poking her head out of a taxi, waving at them, "Hey, over here! Over here!"

Feng Na opened the back door for Li Yundong and shifted over, making space. Li Yundong guided the little girl into the back seat.

**As soon as they were settled, Feng Na beamed as if presenting a treasure, "Hey, I have one good news and one bad news now. Which one do you want to hear first?"

The moment Li Yundong heard this, he felt depressed. He thought: I already experienced one good and one bad piece of news while trying to withdraw money; now this again?

Li Yundong looked at her warily, "You’re not going to tell me the good news is the school isn't expelling me, and the bad news is the Public Security Bureau is taking me away, are you!"

Cheng Cheng in the front seat and Feng Na in the back burst into simultaneous laughter. Cheng Cheng clutched her stomach, turning around, wiping tears as she laughed, "Li Yundong, you’re too funny! Ah, seriously, Tiannan University is really quite dull without you!"

Li Yundong, now familiar enough with her, didn't stand on ceremony about her being his senior, and gave Cheng Cheng a light slap on the forehead, "Hey, stop gloating! Hurry up and tell me, what’s the real meaning!"

Feng Na laughed, "The good news is, the school not only decided not to expel you but also reinstated your eligibility to take all your other course exams!"

Li Yundong was shocked and delighted upon hearing this, "Really? Damn, who is that powerful? A true savior, setting things right!"

Feng Na smirked, "Don’t celebrate too fast! There’s still a piece of bad news!"

Li Yundong grew cautious again, "What’s the bad news?"

Feng Na pursed her lips and smiled, "The bad news is… the final exams start the day after tomorrow!"

"I’m dizzy!" Li Yundong’s vision went black, and he nearly passed out. He rolled his eyes, took a long moment to catch his breath, and roared in frustration, "What? What did you say? Final exams the day after tomorrow! I haven’t reviewed a single subject, are you messing with me!"

Cheng Cheng in the front seat burst out laughing, "The other piece of good news is, you at least have one more day to review!"

Li Yundong was practically frantic, "And that’s considered good news? You’re playing games with me, right?"

====================================================== Eighth on the fresh flower chart last week. Three updates this week: Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. [Note: Dear reader, the current chapter has reached the last page of this book]