Su Chan pursued the question with sheer delight, but Li Yundong wasn't in a rush to answer, instead saying, "Earlier, I thought you'd been captured by the monks of Xiyuan Temple, so I rushed over to save you. But I ended up letting two golden snakes go—you still remember that incident, right?"

Su Chan blinked, not understanding why Li Yundong brought that up. She replied, "I remember, but what does that have to do with Sūmañgata?"

Li Yundong chuckled. "Of course, it’s related. I recall the abbot of Xiyuan Temple once mentioned he had a disciple who could foresee future events. I didn't pay much attention then, but now that you mention it, I recall. Isn't that disciple of the Xiyuan Temple abbot the one who cultivates Sūmañgata?"

Su Chan was overjoyed. "Then let's go find him right now?"

Li Yundong playfully tapped the little girl's forehead. "Look how eager you are! It’s so late; don't the monks need rest? You should rest well tonight, and we’ll head over first thing in the morning."

Su Chan’s face lit up, and she nodded vigorously.

Li Yundong carried the little girl into the room and laid her on the bed. Knowing Su Chan was worried about Ao Wushuang, he didn't tease her much, merely pulling the thin quilt over her and saying softly, "Don't worry. Your master is just sealed. Although Yan Fang hates her to the bone, she is currently in the form of a Yang Shen and can't use magical artifacts, so she can't harm your master."

Su Chan snuggled deep into the covers, watching Li Yundong tuck in the corner of the quilt with earnest eyes. As Li Yundong turned to leave, she suddenly called out softly, "Sir!"

Li Yundong turned back with a slight smile. "What is it, little thing?"

Su Chan’s eyes darted around, then she suddenly sat up, threw her arms around Li Yundong, and planted a loud kiss on his cheek. She quickly let go and dove back under the covers, only her beautiful, bright eyes showing. She said with a charming smile, "It's so good to have you here!"

Li Yundong laughed heartily. "Silly girl!" With that, he walked out of the room himself.

When morning broke, after everyone else had risen, Li Yundong saw Ziyuan, Ruan Hongling, Zhou Qin, and Su Chan had gathered in his room. He recounted the plan he and Su Chan had discussed the previous night to Ziyuan, Ruan Hongling, and Zhou Qin.

After speaking, Li Yundong added, "I stayed up all night thinking, and I feel we can’t delay Ao Wushuang’s matter either, lest complications arise from delay. But today is the day Zheng Youming and the others ship the goods. We can’t leave Dongwu City deserted. I think it’s best if we split into two groups."

Ziyuan nodded in agreement. She said to Li Yundong, "Hongling and I will return to Dongwu City. Why don't you and Su Chan stay here for now to scout out Ao Wushuang's whereabouts?"

Li Yundong nodded. "That’s what I intended." He then turned to Zhou Qin. "What about you? Are you staying here with me, or returning to Dongwu City?"

Zhou Qin smiled gently. "Of course, I'll follow Master."

Li Yundong chuckled, not voicing any objection. He made the decision immediately. "Then it’s settled. After breakfast, we split up."

There wasn't much fine cuisine at the Taoist temple where the Hu Chan Sect was located—mostly vegetarian fare and noodles—but Li Yundong and his group weren't gluttons, so they ate their breakfast with surprising enjoyment.

After breakfast, Ziyuan took Ruan Hongling and flew back to Dongwu City, while Li Yundong took the little girl and Zhou Qin by car toward Xiyuan Temple in Dongwu City.

After taking a taxi to Xiyuan Temple, Li Yundong did not opt for forcing his way in this time. Instead, he announced his name to a monk at the gate and waited respectfully outside.

While waiting, Li Yundong suddenly said to Su Chan, "I'm quite ashamed, really. Last time I burst in rashly, and the abbot not only didn't blame me but even told me where you were. Yet, I still don't know the man's name."

Su Chan giggled. "When it concerns oneself, one gets flustered. Although Xiyuan Temple isn't comparable to the temples on the Four Great Buddhist Mountains, it is still somewhat famous. I do know the Dharma title of this abbot."

Li Yundong was thrilled and clasped his hands together in Buddhist reverence. "Amitabha, that is an act of immeasurable merit, much better than making a fool of myself later."

Su Chan smiled. "The abbot here is called Master Puren. I heard his magical power and divine abilities are quite formidable."

Li Yundong laughed. "Naturally. I nearly suffered a great loss here at Xiyuan Temple before."

As the two were talking softly, before long, a guest-receiving monk approached and respectfully invited Li Yundong to follow him inside.

Li Yundong returned the reverence with clasped hands, then asked the monk to lead the way, keeping a few steps behind.

Along the way, Li Yundong noticed Zhou Qin curiously observing the temple grounds. Especially when they reached the Forest of Merit, hung with various talismans, charms, and blessing pouches, Li Yundong quietly recounted the scene of his past duel with the middle-aged monk to Su Chan and Zhou Qin. His eloquence was such that he described the fierce battle vividly in just a few words, causing Su Chan and Zhou Qin to stare with wide eyes.

Pointing to the talismans and pouches hanging on the surrounding trees, Li Yundong murmured, "These talismans here have absorbed the intentions of many people, which can transform into powerful mental force to help the monks here increase their cultivation power."

Su Chan, engrossed in listening, suddenly asked, "Yundong, why don't you also carry some talismans charged with magical power, like them?"

Li Yundong chuckled. "Didn't I already use the Five Thunders Orthodox Charm you gave me last time? I have no talismans left. Besides, using talismans is the divine art of northern sects like the Jinshan School. My cultivation focuses mainly on the Inner Elixir School. If I wanted to learn talisman arts, I wouldn't even know where to begin."

Su Chan blinked. "If you had the Divine Immortal Brush, you could draw whatever talisman you wanted."

Li Yundong scoffed, "Didn't you hear Ziyuan say that’s the magical artifact of Zuo Ci, the Grand Master of the Dan Ding Sect? It’s been missing for over a thousand years; how could it still be in this world?"

Su Chan pouted and huffed, "I just wish all the good magical artifacts in the world belonged to us!"

Li Yundong laughed heartily and tapped her nose. "Little girl, you must learn to be content."

Zhou Qin looked around at the charms and pouches hanging in the Forest of Merit. She sighed, "When I used to visit temples, I’d see people burning incense and praying, or hanging these blessing talismans, and I used to laugh at them for being superstitious. Now it seems I was the ignorant one."

Li Yundong chuckled meaningfully and said, "Heaven is fair to people. He closed the door to your former world, but he opened a door to the cultivation world for you."

Zhou Qin was stunned by the profound meaning in Li Yundong’s words and found herself lost in thought.

When Li Yundong and his party passed through the Forest of Merit, a middle-aged monk was waiting at the exit. Li Yundong recognized him instantly as the monk he dueled with last time. He quickly stepped forward, clasped his hands, and said respectfully, "Master, we meet again. I apologize for my rudeness last time; it was a grave transgression."

The middle-aged monk smiled faintly and returned the gesture. "Venerable Li is too kind. As the saying goes, friendship comes from conflict. Without our last duel, how would I have known that Venerable Li’s feat of repelling the joint siege of the Six Great Sects was no mere rumor?"

Li Yundong laughed loudly. "Humble, humble. I still haven't asked the Master's name."

The middle-aged monk smiled faintly. "This humble monk’s Dharma name is Fakong. Venerable Li, please, come inside. The Abbot is waiting for you." As he spoke, his gaze swept over Zhou Qin and Su Chan. When his eyes passed over Su Chan, Fakong’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, but it smoothed out quickly. He thought to himself: This fox spirit is truly devastatingly beautiful. After cultivating for over forty years, one glance nearly shook the foundation of my Dao heart. The danger of female beauty is indeed immense.

But when his gaze fell upon Zhou Qin, a flash of surprise crossed his eyes, and he couldn't help but think: This woman is clearly a virgin, yet why is there genuine Yuanyang Qi within her body? Such Yuanyang Qi within a Profound Yin Body is an extremely rare occurrence. Could this woman be a cultivation prodigy unseen in a hundred years?

It is a recognized truth in the cultivation world that it is easier for men to cultivate than for women, but once a woman achieves success in cultivation, she is invariably a supreme expert.

Fakong examined Zhou Qin’s figure a few more times, sighing internally with admiration, feeling a desire to nurture her talent. He couldn't help but ask, "Female Benefactor, may I ask if you already have a Master?"

Zhou Qin, raised as a well-bred young lady, was extremely polite in her demeanor. She smiled slightly. "I do."

Fakong was greatly disappointed. "Ah? Who is it?"

Zhou Qin smiled. "Far away, yet right before your eyes!"

Fakong then realized the truth. He clasped his hands towards Li Yundong and said with genuine envy, "Venerable Li is truly blessed to have such an excellent disciple. This humble monk is very envious."

Li Yundong laughed. "Monks uphold the concept of the Four Emptinesses; aren't you stirring worldly desires?"

Fakong countered, "Not at all. The path of cultivation prioritizes one's own Dao practice, and secondarily, the transmission of the Dao to disciples. If the Fifth Patriarch of our Buddhist sect, Hongren, had not found such a good disciple in Huineng, how could there have been the later glory of the Sixth Patriarch Huineng unifying Zen Buddhism under heaven?"

Li Yundong was moved by this. Indeed, this monk speaks sense. I can’t handle everything myself forever, can I? It’s fine now, but if I become famous later, and people come knocking on my door every day, won't I wear myself out?

Li Yundong had an epiphany and resolved to begin teaching Zhou Qin cultivation when they returned. He clasped his hands in gratitude. "Master speaks profoundly; I have learned a lesson."

Fakong returned the greeting with a smile. "Venerable Li is too polite."

The two conversed as they walked, and soon they reached the abbot's meditation chamber. Fakong glanced at Su Chan and Zhou Qin and said, "Female Benefactors, why don't you accompany me to a side room to rest for a while?"

Su Chan, being a demon spirit, instinctively felt fear in this sacred Buddhist place. She absolutely refused to leave Li Yundong's side, clinging tightly to the corner of his robe, unwilling to let go, watching him with pleading eyes, terrified that Li Yundong might agree.

Zhou Qin, adept at reading expressions, spoke up, "Does this place of the Buddha discriminate between men and women?"

Fakong was momentarily stumped, unsure how to answer. As the situation grew awkward, the voice of an old man from inside the chamber chuckled, "Amitabha. The Buddha says: All beings under heaven are equal; where does this talk of favoring men over women come from? Fakong, you may go. Let them come in."

Fakong immediately clasped his hands, turned, and departed.

After watching Fakong leave, Li Yundong led Su Chan and Zhou Qin into the meditation chamber. Upon entering, they saw Puren seated on the bed, one hand holding a string of prayer beads, smiling warmly at them.

"We meet again, Venerable Li," Puren said with a gentle smile.

Li Yundong bowed respectfully. "Yes, greetings to Master Puren."

Puren swept his gaze over Su Chan and Zhou Qin briefly, his expression unchanging. His eyes returned to Li Yundong and he said, "Venerable Li, you would not visit the Three Treasures Hall without cause. Please state your business directly."

Seeing Puren be so straightforward, Li Yundong cut to the chase and briefly explained the situation. Finally, he concluded, "I am now the head of the Hu Chan Sect, and I know other sects in the cultivation world view me as fallen, but how can they know my determination to reorganize the Hu Chan Sect? Our predecessor from the Hu Chan Sect has disappeared. After much thought, I have no choice but to seek Master Puren's help. If you do not assist me, I fear I will be utterly helpless."

Puren nodded slightly. He chuckled, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Since you are determined to manage the Hu Chan Sect into a reputable righteous faction, this is an act of immeasurable merit. The Buddha will surely be greatly pleased to know of it. The founder of the Hu Clan, Pan Shi Hu Lao, had some connection with our Buddhist school back in the day, but it was the interference of the Heavenly Mystery Profound Fox that turned friends into enemies. Now that the Hu Chan Sect has fallen into the hands of Venerable Li, there is hope for revitalization. For such a good deed, I naturally should lend Venerable Li a hand!"

Saying this, he picked up a small bronze bell beside him and shook it lightly. Moments later, a young monk entered from the doorway and bowed respectfully. "Master, do you require something?"

Puren smiled. "Fanneng, take them to find my disappointing disciple."

Fanneng was immediately startled, his face showing distress. "Master, you want me to go? This... this isn't quite right, is it?"

Puren said sternly, "The Buddha said: If I do not descend into hell, who will? Such matters cannot be chosen based on preference!"

Fanneng’s face immediately twisted into bitterness. He thought to himself: Right, you yourself said you won't descend into hell, so why not you? Why must it be me? But he dared not voice such words and certainly dared not disobey Puren's wishes. He bowed, and with extreme reluctance, said to Li Yundong, "Please follow me."

Li Yundong followed him, very curious. He thought to himself: Where exactly is that disciple of Puren who cultivates Sūmañgata? Why the dramatic talk of 'who will descend into hell' if not me? It sounds terrifyingly dramatic.

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