Ruan Hongling sped directly back to Tiannan City. When she arrived at Li Yundong's home in the Hongsheng New District, Li Yundong and the others were already inside, laughing and chatting convivially.

Ruan Hongling burst in from the balcony. The moment her feet hit the floor, she let out a loud wail and threw herself into Ziyuan's embrace.

Li Yundong, Ziyuan, and the others instantly started, jumping to their feet. "What happened?"

Normally, Ziyuan would have scolded Ruan Hongling for a cultivator losing control of her emotions, but seeing Ruan Hongling weeping heartbrokenly, her expression a mask of fury and grievance—clearly having suffered some humiliation—Ziyuan's heart clenched. She placed her hands on Ruan Hongling's shoulders and asked in a deep voice, "Hongling, what has happened?"

Ruan Hongling recounted everything that had transpired through her tears, enraging the others.

Li Yundong roared, "The Zhengyi Sect has gone too far! This is nothing short of defecating and urinating right on our necks!"

Zhou Qin's face was like frozen frost. She remained silent, her gaze fixed on Li Yundong, as if awaiting his final decision.

Su Chan also bristled with anger. "Is this what they call a prestigious orthodox sect? How can their actions be so domineering and despicable! What difference is there between them and common bandits?"

After a torrent of curses, Li Yundong suddenly remembered something and turned to Ziyuan. "Wait, when did you take in the souls of Deng Yu and Deng Jiao? How did I not know about this? Those bastards from the Zhengyi Sect actually snatched away their reincarnated souls! If anything happens to them, I will never forgive them!"

Although the others were indignant, Ziyuan remained remarkably composed. After a moment of thought, she spoke, "We will discuss this matter later. While the Zhengyi Sect acts tyrannically, they are not outright demonic villains. I know the temperament of Immortal Dihuo; she is fiercely resolute, but ultimately a person of the orthodox path. She won't harm those two sisters."

"I heard that the current Patriarch of the Zhengyi Sect, Celestial Master Zhang, has long been trying to rebuild the Three Absolute Grand Array. That array demands an immense expenditure of manpower and resources, requiring two powerful and sentient Sword Spirits. I suspect Immortal Dihuo simply couldn't resist the temptation upon seeing them and took them away to cultivate them into Sword Spirits."

At this, Ziyuan sighed lightly. "If that is the case, it might actually be an unexpected fortune for them."

Ruan Hongling looked up, her eyes filled with unwillingness and hatred. "Sister Ziyuan, are you planning to swallow this insult again? They actually sealed our Linggong Sect!"

A flicker of faint anger crossed Ziyuan's eyes, but it vanished instantly. She said, "They sealed the Linggong Sect precisely to force me to yield. The cultivation world is currently turbulent. The conflicts between the Inner Elixir Faction and the Outer Elixir Faction are constant. While the Six Great Sects and the Zhengyi Sect maintain a facade of cooperation, they are secretly vying for leadership of the cultivation world. At present, the union of the Six Sects is equal in power to the Zhengyi Sect, so they decided to swallow our Linggong Sect to strengthen the Zhengyi Sect."

Ziyuan let out a cold sneer. "If they can seal the Linggong Sect, do they think they can silence the widespread murmurs of cultivators across the realm? Hongling, you were right not to go looking for trouble with them directly; that would have played right into their hands! Given our current situation, provoking the Zhengyi Sect would be like striking a stone with an egg. Right now, all we can do is endure the anger and bear the humiliation."

"In six months, our Linggong Sect will hold the Succession Ceremony for the new Patriarch. This ceremony will be organized by the Zhengyi Sect. To legitimize their eventual annexation of us, they will certainly send out invitations far and wide, inviting the Patriarchs of all cultivation sects to attend. At that time, we can call upon the Patriarchs of the world to seek justice on our behalf."

Hearing this, Li Yundong immediately declared, "I can't speak for others, but I, Li Yundong, am the first to support you! Our Fox Zen Gate will also offer its full support!"

Su Chan had always been deeply grateful to Ziyuan for helping Li Yundong achieve his spiritual ascent, as Ziyuan was the one who helped him take flight after she had only guided him onto the path of cultivation. Without Ziyuan, Li Yundong wouldn't possess his current great powers. She nodded forcefully as well. "Sister Ziyuan, I support you too!"

Zhou Qin opened her mouth as if to speak, but feeling utterly helpless—knowing nothing of cultivation or divine arts—she swallowed her words. Yet, a look of firm resolve shone in her eyes.

Ziyuan smiled faintly. "I appreciate your kind intentions, but if you support the Linggong Sect so openly, you will only confirm their accusations against us."

Ruan Hongling leaped up, angered. "If it confirms it, so be it! If they can do the first offense, can’t we retaliate in kind?"

Li Yundong was also clearly displeased. "Precisely because the world says the Fox Zen Gate is a den of iniquity is why I intend to work hard to reshape it into a reputable, renowned orthodox sect! People aren't born bad. Even if someone has been bad, shouldn't they be allowed to become good later on?"

Seeing Li Yundong upset, Ziyuan offered him an apologetic smile. "You are right; perhaps I was being too rigid."

Li Yundong's anger immediately turned to joy. "That's it! Don't worry, at the Succession Ceremony in six months, I will certainly stand up for you!"

Ziyuan smiled softly, thinking to herself: Li Yundong has only cultivated for half a year. Although he is already a top expert among the younger generation, the gap in cultivation between him and the older generation of cultivators is still vast. I must find a way to persuade him not to step forward then; otherwise, inciting the siege of the Patriarchs from all sects would be an unimaginable disaster.

With her mind made up, Ziyuan dropped the subject. She turned to Ruan Hongling and said, "Let's put this aside for now. The most pressing issue right now is solving our needs for food, clothing, housing, and travel. Did you bring the tea and tea set?"

Ruan Hongling wiped away her tears and pulled out a small, precious pouch, tearing it open gently. A mass of colorful light spilled out, visible to Li Yundong and the others. Ruan Hongling reached into the light and produced a tea caddy and a complete set of tea utensils.

Li Yundong saw that the tea set was made of purple sand, appearing quite stately, while the tea caddy looked rather ordinary. He asked, "How long has the tea inside been stored? Hasn't it gone moldy?"

Ruan Hongling shot him an exasperated look. "Don't talk nonsense if you don't understand! This porcelain caddy was sealed by Sister Ziyuan's magical power. Even if the finest Huangshan Maofeng inside sits for two years, it will be perfectly fine!"

Li Yundong wasn't offended by her sharp retort and laughed heartily. "Then let's discuss the regulations for the competition now."

Saying this, he turned to Ziyuan. "For the tea art competition, do you need anyone to help you?"

Ziyuan considered it. "No, I don't need any assistance; I am sufficient on my own."

Li Yundong smiled. "That's great. We'll cheer for you from the audience then."

Ruan Hongling couldn't help but mock him again. "Idiot, do you think this is a sporting event? Cheering and shouting—tea art performance is an art that combines movement and stillness, demanding quiet observation and quiet tasting!"

Li Yundong knew she was suffering because of her sect's misfortune, so he didn't argue, merely cupped his hands and laughed, "Immortal Ruan is knowledgeable; I am impressed, truly impressed!"

Ruan Hongling tossed her head back. "Well, obviously!"

Li Yundong then turned to Su Chan and Zhou Qin. "You two should rest quickly. We are leaving for Dongwu City before dawn tomorrow."

After Li Yundong spoke, Su Chan and Zhou Qin retired to their respective rooms. Fortunately, Li Yundong’s apartment was spacious—a three-bedroom, two-living room layout. Su Chan took one room, Zhou Qin another. Ruan Hongling and Ziyuan returned to their own lodgings, while Li Yundong remained in the main living room, meditating and circulating his qi.

This continued until past four in the morning, when Li Yundong awoke from his deep meditation, exhaling a long breath and letting out a soft, drawn-out chant.

Although his chant was not loud, Ziyuan heard it instantly and woke from her own meditative state. She walked into the living room and said with a smile, "As the saying goes, wealth, partners, land, and tools are necessities for life; those without money often lack the resolve to cultivate. Yet, you live so comfortably, bearing the responsibility for the sustenance of so many people, and yet you don't worry at all. Is your cultivation still progressing so rapidly?"

Li Yundong chuckled. "The Chairman said it well: Man dies, but his spirit lives on forever. As the saying goes, the cart will find a way when it reaches the mountain!"

Ziyuan looked astonished. "Which Chairman said that?"

Li Yundong grinned slyly. "***!"

Ziyuan gasped. "*** said that too?"

Li Yundong waved his hand dismissively. "The Chairman of the Film Bureau!"

Ziyuan nearly choked on her breath. She rolled her eyes fiercely at Li Yundong. "I'm going to freshen up!"

At that moment, Ruan Hongling, Su Chan, and the others woke up upon hearing Li Yundong and Ziyuan talking. Only Zhou Qin woke last, appearing groggy and half-asleep, but her vital energy was abundant, and soon she was full of spirit again.

After everyone washed up, they took to the skies for Dongwu City before dawn. En route, Li Yundong flew alongside Zhou Qin, laughing. "It's a good thing we can fly; otherwise, the cost of train tickets alone would make me sick!"

Zhou Qin admired the magnificent scenery of the motherland high in the sky, marveling, "I never thought I would be able to fly in the sky one day."

Li Yundong said softly, "One day, you will be able to fly by yourself."

Zhou Qin looked at him and smiled, but inwardly she thought: I wish you could carry me flying like this forever.

By the time Li Yundong and his group arrived in Dongwu City, it was around nine in the morning. Following the location listed on the promotional flyer, Li Yundong headed straight for the Dongwu City Workers' Cultural Palace.

The Dongwu City Workers' Cultural Palace was situated next to the main artery, Renmin Road. It featured a rather large square surrounded by rockeries, strange stones, flowers, and trees, giving it a graceful ambiance.

Li Yundong scanned the area and pointed to a clearly marked registration booth, smiling. "Found it, over there."

Li Yundong led the group to the registration area. A young woman at the desk saw them approach and proactively smiled, "Hello, are you here to register for the competition?"

Li Yundong nodded with a smile. "Yes, we are."

The young woman assessed Li Yundong, then glanced at Su Chan, Ziyuan, Zhou Qin, and Ruan Hongling behind him, murmuring in surprise to herself. She asked, "Are you registering as an individual contestant, or on behalf of a company?"

Li Yundong inquired, "Is there a difference?"

The young woman smiled. "Actually, not much of a difference, but registering as an individual might put you at a slight disadvantage against corporate entries. Organizers provide souvenirs to individual contestants who don't place, but corporate entries do not receive them."

Li Yundong smiled. "I see. We are registering as individuals."

The young woman then asked, "And who will be the contestant?"

Ziyuan stated faintly, "I will."

The young woman looked at her carefully, inwardly shocked by Ziyuan's ethereal and graceful aura. She thought: For a tea art performance, appearance is secondary; temperament is the most important thing. A person with good temperament will clearly score many bonus points in the competition. I wonder how good this beautiful woman's tea artistry is.

She noted down Ziyuan's name and then asked, "And what is the tea you will be competing with?"

Ziyuan replied, "Huangshan Maofeng!"

The young woman gasped. "Huangshan Maofeng? May I have a look?"

Ziyuan said calmly, "My supreme-grade Huangshan Maofeng loses a fraction of its celestial essence even if the canister is opened for one second longer. I will not open it until the competition."

Saying this, she gave the young woman a glance. "What, you don't believe me?"

The young woman, intimidated by Ziyuan's confidence and demeanor, could not find the words to refuse, so she simply wrote down the four characters for Huangshan Maofeng on the form. After asking Ziyuan a few more questions, she took the opportunity while Li Yundong and Ziyuan were talking to turn to a nearby attendant and whispered, "Quickly go tell the boss, a master has arrived here."

A moment later, Zheng Youming strode out, with a striking, beautiful woman clinging to his arm, loudly exclaiming, "A master? Where is this master?"

An attendant quietly pointed toward Li Yundong and his group. Zheng Youming’s eyes swept over them, but he didn't immediately see Ziyuan; instead, his gaze locked onto Li Yundong!

The sight caused his legs to tremble so violently he nearly fell right onto his backside.

Ever since Zheng Youming's building collapsed last time, he had paid a huge price to escape consequences. Afterward, he reflected bitterly, believing Li Yundong, that harbinger of misfortune, had brought him bad luck.

The first time he saw that brat, his beautiful mistress ran away. The second time he saw that brat, his building collapsed!

Damn it, now he sees that jinx again!

What was even more infuriating was that this time, the brat even brought a whole team to bring disaster upon him! Did he think this was some kind of online game dungeon raid?!!