Just as the Long-Tongued Hat was lost in thought, two young men dressed as ordinary tourists suddenly crowded around him—the same two who had walked straight down the mountain earlier.

The two young men stepped forward and asked with concern, "Senior Brother, are you alright?"

The Long-Tongued Hat was pale, his forehead beaded with cold sweat. He managed, "I'm fine."

One of them inquired, "Senior Brother, did you manage to probe him? Has this person learned the Nine Revolutions Golden Elixir Art?"

The Long-Tongued Hat spoke with lingering fear, "I couldn't confirm it, but the condensation and purity of his True Essence are immense. Besides my own father and the current great Sect Masters, I have never seen anyone so young with such pure True Essence! Even if this person doesn't cultivate the Nine Revolutions Golden Elixir Art, he is still a master. It’s no wonder he could repel the Six Great Sects single-handedly. I initially thought that rumor was exaggerated, but now it seems it was true!"

Another comforted him, "Senior Brother, there's no need to be so disheartened. You haven't even used the Dharma Treasure Talisman Master gave you yet. In a true magical contest, you might not lose to him."

The Long-Tongued Hat glared at him: "I chose to fight him hand-to-hand precisely because the Seven Treasures Spirit-Guiding Fan is too tyrannical! My father refuses to pass the Three Sovereigns Sword to me, so what do I have to fight him with? A few talismans? Hmph, stop talking! Who on earth spread those rumors that this fellow obtained the Nine Revolutions Golden Elixir Art, which tempted me to come here and make such a fool of myself!"

One of his junior brothers interjected, "Senior Brother, this Li Yundong repelled the Six Great Sects by himself and defeated True Man Yuyang and True Person Ziyuan of the Orthodox Unity Sect. If he hadn't cultivated the Nine Revolutions Golden Elixir Art, how could he be so formidable? Besides, the entire cultivation world is buzzing with these stories now, told with such detail!"

The Long-Tongued Hat spat hatefully and stomped his foot, "Luckily, I kept one eye open and only said I challenged him out of dissatisfaction. If he knew I was after the Nine Revolutions Golden Elixir Art, today’s outcome might have been far more difficult to handle! Enough talk. Damn it, I’ve lost this round today! I’ll find a way to settle the score later! Let’s go!"

His other junior brother smiled wickedly, "Senior Brother, don't be angry. Now that the news is out, I imagine more and more people will come knocking on his door in the future. When he’s worn out dealing with them, then you, Senior Brother, can..."

Before he finished speaking, a playful smile spread across the Long-Tongued Hat’s face, and the three of them burst into uproarious laughter.

Meanwhile, inside the Daoist temple, after Li Yundong and the others had seen off the group of tourists, he summoned Cao Yi, Su Chan, and Zhou Qin to his room.

Li Yundong asked Cao Yi, "Did the Fox Zen Sect ever receive tourists before?"

Cao Yi sighed, "Of course we did. Back when the Fox Zen Sect included outer disciples, we had nearly a hundred people. If we hadn't collected fees for sightseeing tickets and incense offerings, we wouldn't have survived. However, our temple has never been popular, and very few tourists came to visit. Today’s crowd was quite large."

Li Yundong nodded. After a moment of thought, he said, "I've inquired about the person who came to cause trouble just now; he is from the Jade Grotto Sect."

"Jade Grotto Sect?" Su Chan, Zhou Qin, and Cao Yi spoke in unison.

Zhou Qin had never heard of this sect and asked out of curiosity, but Su Chan and Cao Yi were astonished. Cao Yi frowned and asked, "Aren't they a cultivation sect from Sichuan? What are they doing way over here? Could they also be trying to muddy the waters along with the Six Great Sects?"

Su Chan snorted, "Then they're late! The Six Great Sects have already been driven off by Yundong!"

Cao Yi shook her head, "Even though the Sect Master turned the tide and repelled the Six Great Sects single-handedly, this matter will surely be the talk of the cultivation world now. Although the Six Great Sects have retreated, there are certainly many who are unconvinced and might come looking for trouble."

Li Yundong nodded, "That’s right. The man just now was the son of the Jade Grotto Sect Master. He said that since I defeated Ziyuan, I have become the foremost master among the younger generation, and he is dissatisfied, so he came to challenge me. Once he defeats me, he will be the foremost master."

As Li Yundong finished speaking, the three women in the room showed expressions of disdainful cold laughter. Zhou Qin sneered slightly but said nothing, while Su Chan huffed, "What skill is there in sneak attacking someone? Winning like that brings no glory!"

Cao Yi coldly remarked, "Is this what they call the esteemed orthodox sects? The descendants of these Sect Masters truly get worse with each generation!"

Li Yundong sighed lightly, "If they come for me, I have nothing to fear or worry about. I’ve already overcome the Heavenly Tribulation; what should I fear from these petty individuals? My concern is that if one scheme fails, they might hatch another and target you all, and you lack the means to defend yourselves."

Cao Yi said with deep shame, "Alas, as an elder of the Fox Zen Sect, I cannot even protect myself. I am truly failing the Sect Master."

Zhou Qin also looked deeply troubled, biting her lip, her delicate brows tightly furrowed, still silent. Only Su Chan cheerfully grabbed Li Yundong’s arm: "Teach us! Turn us all into great masters, wouldn't that solve it? Then you won't need to intervene; anyone who dares to challenge us, we’ll take care of them all! You, the venerable elder, can just sit back and direct the strategy!"

Li Yundong laughed heartily, "You’re absolutely right; it is essential for you to become stronger. I can protect you for a time, but not for a lifetime. When we return to Tiannan City, I will teach you the Nine Revolutions Golden Elixir Art."

As soon as he said this, Cao Yi’s eyes widened in shock, "You... you really have the Nine Revolutions Golden Elixir Art?"

Li Yundong was momentarily taken aback, "How do you know I possess the Nine Revolutions Golden Elixir Art?"

Cao Yi snapped back to reality and laughed, "When we saw you fighting the people from the Six Great Sects last time, you took three steps, and your form grew larger by three measures with each step. We sisters privately discussed what cultivation technique you were practicing, and we unanimously concluded that you were cultivating the long-lost Nine Revolutions Golden Elixir Art. We thought we were wrong, but it turns out it was true."

Li Yundong then realized, and he laughed, "To tell the truth, I learned it from your Fox Zen Sect." With that, he recounted the entire story of how he learned the Nine Revolutions Golden Elixir Art, concluding, "Now, passing this technique on to you is like returning it to the disciples and grandchildren of Tianji Xuanhu."

Cao Yi listened, stunned, and after a long pause, shook her head and sighed, "Everything in this world truly is a cycle of cause and effect. No wonder, no wonder!"

Li Yundong nodded at Cao Yi and said, "You don't need to dwell on it. Go back first, pack your things, and then take the younger disciples with you to Tiannan City. We cannot stay here anymore. Currently, the Fox Zen Sect faces internal and external threats, and I cannot be in two places at once. You and Senior Aunties Liu Yuehong and Zhuang Yating must never separate..."

He turned to Zhou Qin and Su Chan: "From now on, you two must also stay within an inch of me!"

Su Chan, Zhou Qin, and Cao Yi all replied in unison, "Yes!"

Li Yundong nodded, waving his hand, "Go now, pack quickly, and then we return to Tiannan City."

The three complied and departed. Before long, the news that everyone from the Fox Zen Sect was leaving the mountain spread. A wave of melancholy about leaving their homeland mixed with yearning for a new life washed over them, and they began chattering and whispering incessantly.

Li Yundong led the way down the mountain. Su Chan and Zhou Qin, having few belongings, walked empty-handed alongside him. Cao Yi, Liu Yuehong, and Zhuang Yating, the three surviving seniors of the Fox Zen Sect, followed behind Li Yundong, casting reluctant, lingering glances back at the mountain.

Some of the little foxes wept silently, their sobs continuous. Su Chan felt deeply saddened. After following Li Yundong to the foot of the mountain, she tugged his arm, looked back at the majestic mountain, and asked, "Yundong, must we really leave? Can we ever come back?"

Li Yundong also turned to look at Mount Tianlong and said solemnly, "A great man once said that holding onto the land while losing the people means losing both land and people; but holding onto the people while losing the land means gaining both people and land! We are too weak now to defend this mountain. If we insist on staying, it will only give our enemies the chance to defeat us one by one. When we become strong enough, we will return—and we will return openly and honorably!"

The little fox nodded fiercely, "Mmm! I will get stronger too!"

Zhou Qin glanced at Li Yundong beside her, silently committing his vow to memory, thinking: Master, I will help you achieve it!

Li Yundong and his group of over a dozen people traveled from Dongwu City to Tiannan City by train. This entourage of more than a dozen stunningly beautiful women, with Li Yundong as the sole man, was truly a splash of green amidst the blooming flowers, surrounded by a chorus of warbling voices. The male travelers on the train were so envious their eyes turned red.

The sudden appearance of so many beauties naturally drew significant attention, and countless men tried to strike up conversations along the way. Only Zhou Qin maintained an icy expression, discouraging most approaches. Cao Yi and the other Fox Zen Sect masters maintained their dignity and kept their gazes straight ahead, resulting in fewer advances.

However, the little foxes, led by Su Chan, were naturally innocent and lively, unable to force stern faces, and consequently suffered endless harassment. Upon finally disembarking the train, the group of little foxes rushed out like prisoners released, immediately looking around excitedly while whispering secrets about what their new home would be like.

Su Chan was now clearly recognized as the leader among the little foxes. Hands on her hips, she proudly recounted her experience viewing apartments with Li Yundong, describing their new home. But when she mentioned her own room was spacious and bright enough for many people, the young girl suddenly realized a problem: their three-bedroom, two-living-room apartment was indeed roomy, but there were over a dozen people here now. Even if Zhou Qin had a place to stay, how would the dozen or so Fox Zen Sect members be accommodated?

For a moment, the young girl’s eyes glazed over. She quickly broke away from the throng of little foxes, ran up to Li Yundong, pulled him aside, and said nervously, "Yundong, our home is only so big! How can so many people live there?"

Li Yundong couldn't help but offer a wry smile, "I was worrying about that exact problem too. I originally intended to find another place for them, but I couldn't secure one immediately. I suppose they'll have to crowd in for a night or two for now. Besides, they are all cultivators; sleeping on the floor for a couple of nights isn't the end of the world."

Su Chan thought for a moment, and a playful thought sparked in her mind. She grinned cheekily and said, "Then I want to sleep with you!"

Li Yundong laughed heartily, "Aren't you afraid your fellow junior sisters will make fun of you?"

Su Chan tilted her head back and made a face, "I’m not afraid at all! My man is the Sect Master; who would dare laugh at me? I'll give them trouble!"

Li Yundong chuckled, tapped the little girl’s nose, and laughingly scolded, "Look at you. This is how the world's unwritten rules start!"

As the two were chatting and laughing, they suddenly heard a commotion not far away. They turned to look and saw several male travelers dragging their luggage, craning their necks to stare at the stunning beauties of the Fox Zen Sect, causing a few to stumble and fall.

Li Yundong felt a sudden headache blooming in his mind, thinking: Su Chan, this little fox spirit, caused an uproar just entering the world. Last time, the Fox Zen Sect descending the mountain nearly clogged the streets of Tiannan City. This time, their legitimate arrival... I fear the world will never be peaceful again! What is to be done?