As the youngest disciple in the Fox Zen Sect, Aowushuang held the lowest seniority among the elder generation, yet she possessed the highest aptitude and greatest magical power, making her the sect's foremost master.

Furthermore, being arrogant and willful since childhood, she had once defied all conventions by falling in love with the leader of the Linggong Sect from the Zhengyi Order. This connection caused her to break ties with everyone in her own sect, leading to her expulsion ten years prior.

Upon her return a decade later, she immediately stirred up colossal trouble. Naturally, the other sect members harbored many opinions, and Ye Yu, the second strongest master in the Fox Zen Sect, felt particularly uneasy.

When Aowushuang was absent, Ye Yu was the top master, commanding respect from all. But with Aowushuang's return, Ye Yu was relegated to second place—a position no one could easily stomach.

Aowushuang had always treated everyone in the sect with cold indifference, exhibiting a frosty demeanor even towards her senior sisters. Ye Yu, however, believed Aowushuang was simply arrogant, looking down on her as a senior sister because of her superior magical prowess. Thus, Ye Yu had always harbored resentment, determined to surpass Aowushuang.

Now presented with such a perfect opportunity, Ye Yu could not let it pass. Her anger flared, and she instantly cast aside the danger posed by the powerful enemy before them, prioritizing the resolution of her personal grievances first!

Seeing the conflict about to erupt—a fight among their own kind, internal strife within the sect—Su Chan instinctively blurted out, "Don't fight!"

The moment her voice carried, every gaze in the area snapped towards her. Ye Yu sneered, "Who do you think you are? Is this your place to speak?"

Ye Yu was fiercely protective of her own, but Aowushuang was even more so!

Aowushuang coldly retorted, "She is my disciple. Why shouldn't she speak?"

Enraged, Ye Yu pointed a finger, and the Cold Beauty Serrated Vajra Wheel immediately hummed loudly, causing the surrounding air to vibrate and the ground to churn with flying dust and stones, radiating a terrifying aura.

Aowushuang snorted in response. The Eight Desolations Sword surrounding her swiftly shot into the air, looking down upon the Cold Beauty Serrated Vajra Wheel. Its blade trembled with a resonant zheng, instantly splitting from one sword into two, two into four, and four into eight. In a flash, it transformed into a steel lotus throne composed entirely of razor-sharp edges. The lotus leaves rotated one by one, resembling countless saw teeth, looking utterly terrifying!

Just as the scene was fraught with drawn weapons and simmering tension, poised for an immediate clash, a remarkably gentle voice resonated through the clearing, flowing into everyone's hearts like a clear spring: "Alas, you are all sisters of the same sect. Why must you fight amongst yourselves?"

Everyone turned toward the sound to see a woman clad in white Daoist robes, a transparent veil draped over her shoulders, descending slowly from the sky.

This woman was exceptionally beautiful. Her dark hair was swept to one side, held by a golden hairpin. Although she was also a member of the Fox Zen Sect, her beauty was imbued with dignified grace, like an immediate manifestation of a Bodhisattva, possessing a venerable composure that commanded respect.

Upon seeing this woman, Ye Yu immediately halted, nodding to her, "Senior Sister!"

Su Chan stared, unable to help but whisper to Aowushuang, "Master, is this the Eldest Martial Aunt?"

Aowushuang nodded: "Yes. This is your Eldest Martial Aunt, Mo Ashi."

Su Chan marveled, "Eldest Martial Aunt Mo Ashi looks like a Bodhisattva!"

A rare hint of subtle admiration crossed Aowushuang's eyes. She said, "Senior Sister practices both Vajra Buddhism and its Dharma, hence her venerable bearing and Bodhisattva-like demeanor."

Though Mo Ashi appeared no older than a woman in her twenties, her aura made her seem like a steadfast, living Bodhisattva, possessing an immense power to stabilize the situation. As soon as she appeared, everyone present involuntarily bowed to her.

Shortly after, several other stunning women in varied attire flew in. Aowushuang whispered their names to Su Chan: "That is your Third Martial Aunt, Zhuang Yating; Fourth Martial Aunt, Changsun Hong; Fifth Martial Aunt, Liu Yuehong; and Sixth Martial Aunt, Cao Yi."

Su Chan observed them one by one, but her gaze ultimately settled back on Mo Ashi. Mo Ashi looked at Su Chan, a gentle, compassionate smile gracing her lips, then turned to Aowushuang and said, "Little Sister, you have returned."

If there was anyone in the Fox Zen Sect who could still evoke a degree of reverence in Aowushuang's heart, besides the Sect Leader Liu Ye, it was this Eldest Senior Sister, Mo Ashi.

Aowushuang formed a hand seal, inclined her head slightly in greeting, "Eldest Senior Sister, I trust you have been well?"

Mo Ashi smiled faintly, "I am well. It is good that you are back!" With that, she turned to Ye Yu, her voice soft, "Junior Sister, this is a time of crisis for the sect. Can these matters not wait until later? Such actions only bring pain to our loved ones and joy to our enemies, do they not?"

Ye Yu shot Aowushuang a cold glance and scoffed, "Is she counted as a loved one? Humph! Why scold me and not her?" Though she refused to yield verbally, she recalled the Cold Beauty Serrated Vajra Wheel with a gesture, then turned and walked away, ignoring everyone else.

Aowushuang did not summon her weapon back; the Eight Desolations Sword instantly collapsed from countless forms back into one, flying behind her in the blink of an eye, as if it had never appeared.

Mo Ashi glanced at Aowushuang and smiled faintly, "Ten years, Little Sister. Your cultivation has advanced further."

Aowushuang offered a faint smile, "Not at all, merely treading water. It is Senior Sister whose cultivation has increased greatly."

Mo Ashi sighed softly, "You have seen the best of me." She then addressed the others around them, "Everyone, disperse for now." She nodded to Aowushuang and Su Chan, "Follow me."

Su Chan trailed behind Aowushuang and Mo Ashi as they proceeded into the Daoist temple. At an antique sandalwood door, Mo Ashi turned to the pair and said, "The Sect Leader awaits you inside. You may enter yourselves."

With a graceful smile towards Su Chan and Aowushuang, she gracefully departed.

Su Chan closely followed Aowushuang into the room, where they found the Sect Leader, Liu Ye, sitting on a cushion, smoking water pipe.

Liu Ye showed no surprise upon seeing them enter. He pointed the stem of his pipe toward the Eight Immortals Bench, "You've arrived? Sit."

Aowushuang said coldly, "Sect Leader, what is the matter with our outer disciples? Why is their conduct so poor?"

Liu Ye let out a dry laugh, "You don't manage things, so you don't know the cost of firewood! Besides, though I am nominally the Sect Leader now, it is actually your Eldest Senior Sister, Mo Ashi, who handles the administration. If you have business, go see her."

Aowushuang let out a muffled humph. She sat with a cold expression for a moment before asking, "Where is my room?"

Liu Ye pointed in one direction with his pipe tip, "Twenty meters from here."

Aowushuang immediately stood up, as if unwilling to linger another second. Su Chan, who was curiously taking in the surroundings, followed her master as she left.

Upon reaching the room, Aowushuang glanced around briefly and asked, "Which one are you staying in?"

Su Chan’s eyes darted around, "I'll take the one inside."

Aowushuang nodded. With her temperamental nature, she pulled over a cushion and immediately began to meditate and circulate her qi, paying no mind to the idle Su Chan beside her.

Su Chan watched Aowushuang for a while, then sat down by the square table, resting her chin on her elbow, muttering to herself: She had expected a hero's welcome upon returning with her Master to help the sect through its difficulties, but this was simply anticlimactic! What a letdown!

Su Chan's eyes roamed the room. She noticed it contained only a simple rosewood bed, a simple square table, and a few matching benches. Plus, a few extra cushions lay on the floor—nothing more!

Su Chan couldn't help but complain inwardly: How boring! No soap operas to watch, no internet to surf, and no good food! If only Yun Dong were here!

Thinking of Yun Dong, the young girl could not suppress her longing and yearning. Her mind began to wander. Involuntarily, she glanced at her Master, her eyes gleaming as she said, "Master, I’m going to look around the sect!"

Aowushuang snorted, "Go ahead, if you're not afraid of being bullied by others!"

Su Chan giggled, "I have Master backing me up, so I’m not scared!"

Although Aowushuang’s eyes remained closed, a faint smile touched the corner of her lips. She chuckled scoldingly, "Slick tongue. Go on, but don't cause trouble!"

Su Chan replied sweetly, "Master, I'm not a little girl anymore!" With that, she hopped out the door.

Once outside, Su Chan headed straight for Sect Leader Liu Ye’s room.

She reached the doorway but hesitated to enter, only poking her head slightly out, eagerly watching Liu Ye smoking his water pipe.

Initially, Liu Ye pretended not to see Su Chan's pathetic-looking stance, but seeing her so pitiful, he couldn't help but laugh, "Alright, little girl, stop hiding there. What do you need? You never come unless you want something important!"

Su Chan giggled and bounced up to Sect Leader Liu Ye, pouting charmingly, "Sect Leader Ancestor, the paper crane you showed me last time was so fun. Can you give me one to play with?"

Liu Ye tapped his water pipe and chuckled, "How did you know that paper crane was mine?"

Su Chan’s eyes darted around shrewdly, "I didn't know before, but I know now!"

"Mischievous sprite!" Liu Ye laughed heartily and held out his palm. A fist-sized paper crane, folded from paper, flew toward Su Chan. Su Chan was delighted, immediately snatching it up, exclaiming with joy, "If I tell it where to go, can it go there?"

Liu Ye glanced at Su Chan, "Yes. It's just like using a magical artifact."

Su Chan clutched the paper crane as if it were a priceless treasure, afraid Liu Ye might take it back. She turned and ran out, only pausing outside to look back and grin, "Sect Leader Ancestor, thank you! You are a good person!"

Liu Ye let out a dry chuckle, watching Su Chan disappear from the doorway, a meaningful smile lingering on his face.

Su Chan, clutching the paper crane, returned to her room. Passing her Master's room, she tiptoed, not daring to breathe too heavily, as if afraid of waking her Master. Only when she was safely inside her own room did she quietly shut the door and place the paper crane on the table.

The moment she let go, the paper crane fluttered out, tilting its neck and flapping its wings, as if uncomfortable from being held so tightly by Su Chan.

Su Chan found a brush, leaned close to the crane with a giggle, and whispered, "Little darling, stay still. I'll write a few words on you, and you can take a message to Yun Dong for me, okay?"

Upon seeing the brush approaching its body, the paper crane immediately spread its wings, preparing to flee.

Su Chan was quick-witted and swift, grabbing it at once: "Trying to run? No way!"

As the paper crane was caught and the tip of the brush drew nearer, it struggled violently.

Seeing its fierce resistance, Su Chan couldn't manage to write and couldn't help but say, "Stop moving! It's just a quick note!"

Then, a sudden thought struck her. "Ah, I know! You can't have writing on you, can you?"

As if understanding her words, the paper crane actually nodded.

Su Chan laughed heartily, "Why didn't you just say so?" She paused, found a sheet of paper, wrote a sentence on it, and tucked it inside the crane’s body. She lightly tapped the crane’s head and said, "Hey, if you don't let me write on you, I'll slip a note in instead. If you lose this for me, hmph!"

With that, Su Chan mimed a fierce paper-tearing motion, causing the paper crane to shrink back in fright.

Su Chan sighed, "Ugh, Master confiscated my phone, otherwise I wouldn't have to rely on such an unreliable fellow like you! Fine. Now, fly to Yun Dong’s side. Remember, don't lose the note!"

When she finished speaking, the paper crane looked around in a daze, appearing utterly bewildered.

Su Chan couldn't help but grow angry, "Hey, what are you spacing out for? Hurry up and go!"

The paper crane looked up at Su Chan and shook its head vigorously.

Su Chan shouted furiously, "You don't want to go?" She reached out with both hands to grab it, intending to shake it vigorously.

The paper crane struggled even harder, frightened, causing the tucked note to fall out. Su Chan exclaimed in exasperation, "Hey, do you have to be this scared?"

As soon as the words left her mouth, she suddenly remembered: Right, I haven't told it where to go yet!

Su Chan slapped her forehead, "I'm such an idiot!" She leaned close to the paper crane, told it the address, and affectionately patted its head, "Now you know the place? Go quickly!"

The paper crane, terrified by Su Chan's antics, quickly spread its wings and flew up, vanishing out the window with a whoosh.

Su Chan gazed in the direction the crane flew, filled with yearning and longing: What will Yun Dong’s reaction be when he sees the note I sent? Will he miss me? What will he write back?

Lost in these sweet thoughts, a knowing smile bloomed on the young girl’s face. But as her distant gaze slowly returned, she happened to scan the table and saw a small, written note lying there, utterly alone.

Su Chan’s eyes instantly widened in shock. She wanted to shout but feared her Master would hear, so she grit her teeth and hissed toward the window, "Hey, idiot! You forgot the note! Hurry and come back!"