Ziyuan’s brow furrowed deeply. She took a measured breath, warring internally, before pausing and speaking slowly. "Second Martial Aunt, Fox Zen Sect is now under Li Yundong’s control. And Li Yundong is a man of integrity, upright and righteous. He has vowed to reorganize the sect, to transform this poorly regarded place back into a renowned, righteous school. I believe he can achieve it. Why don't you give him a chance? As the saying goes, it is better to resolve enmities than to create them!"

Yan Fang’s expression shifted violently, her anger palpable. "Nonsense! What did you say! That brat ruined my plans last time, and I hadn't even dealt with him yet—and now you’re defending him! Have you lost your mind?"

Ziyuan’s face also hardened as she argued logically and calmly. "Second Martial Aunt, my Master left behind a cryptic verse, indicating that my future cultivation path rests entirely upon Li Yundong. That is why I began interacting with him. In the time I’ve known him, I’ve found that he is not only a once-in-five-centuries prodigy in cultivation but also an exceptionally rare and remarkable man!"

Ziyuan’s expression was as placid as still water, yet her words flowed forth eloquently. "Second Martial Aunt, I ask you, can a man willing to face heavenly tribulation just to uphold justice truly be a bad person? Second Martial Aunt, I ask you, a cultivator constantly surrounded by unparalleled beauties, yet still maintaining his original virgin purity—can he truly be a bad person? Second Martial Aunt, I ask you, a man who knows his companion is a fox spirit yet remains utterly devoted—can he truly be a bad person? If he is, then his flaws are minor, and I believe he will eventually turn from error to righteousness, ultimately propagating our true path of cultivation!"

Ziyuan spoke with powerful resonance. "Second Martial Aunt, whether you believe it or not, I firmly believe that Li Yundong will transform the disreputable Fox Zen Sect into a leading righteous school! Therefore, Second Martial Aunt, I will not assist you. On the contrary, I urge you to let this matter go. What grievance in this world cannot be resolved? You have already caused the death of so many within the Fox Zen Sect. Liu Ye is dead, and Ao Wushuang has been sealed by you. Second Martial Aunt, give it up!"

Yan Fang threw her head back and laughed, looking meaningfully at Ziyuan. "Ziyuan, have you fallen for him?"

Ziyuan’s face paled instantly, and she stammered in alarm. "S-Second Martial Aunt, what nonsense are you spouting!"

Yan Fang merely sneered coldly. "No need to deny it; as someone who has lived longer, I see everything clearly! Since you insist on protecting that brat, very well. But I warn you: when the great calamity arrives, do not come regretting this moment!"

Ziyuan's momentary panic subsided quickly; after all, she was a master of considerable cultivation. She swiftly regained her composure and pressed. "What great calamity?"

Yan Fang gave a cold laugh. "Did you think I wanted to destroy the Fox Zen Sect merely for personal vengeance? Hmph. Yes, initially, I only sought trouble with Ao Wushuang. That was until I accidentally stumbled upon a secret within the sect. Heh heh…"

Ziyuan asked, "What secret?"

Just as Yan Fang was about to speak, footsteps echoed from the stairwell. Her expression changed, and she swallowed her words. She finished with a cold sneer, "It wouldn't benefit you to know now, but I assure you, the destruction of the Fox Zen Sect is decided! If you continue to defy me, be wary of my methods!"

With that, her figure flickered, and she dashed swiftly toward the stairwell wall, colliding with it before vanishing instantly.

Ruan Hongling gasped in shock. "Sister Ziyuan, isn't Second Martial Aunt’s body that of a Yang Spirit? A Yang Spirit body should be a tangible clone; it shouldn't be able to pass through walls!"

Ziyuan’s face was grave. "Second Martial Aunt’s Nascent Soul has cultivated to the peak of the Nascent Soul stage; she can switch between Yin and Yang forms at will. In the instant before she hit the wall, she converted her Yang Spirit into a Yin Spirit, which is why she could pass through."

Ruan Hongling inhaled sharply. "That’s incredible! To remain so powerful after having her Yang Spirit detached for so long—that’s absurd!"

Ziyuan shook her head. "No, that's not right. Logically, a person cannot maintain such power after having their Yang Spirit separated for that long. Even Zhang Sanfeng could only maintain his Nascent Soul without decay for three days while his spirit traveled externally. To achieve such a prolonged detachment with zero decay in the spirit, unless one has reached the level of the Indestructible Golden Body, it is impossible!"

Ruan Hongling’s eyes lit up. "Unless…"

Ziyuan looked toward her and nodded slightly. "Unless she has found a physical body to inhabit!"

The moment Ziyuan finished speaking, her eyes brightened. She swiftly turned and rushed back towards the clothing store that had housed the Fox Zen Sect's former operations.

When she burst back into the shop, Su Chan had just slipped into a new, creamy-white lace dress, making her look charmingly delicate. She spotted Ziyuan immediately and bounced over cheerfully. "Sister Ziyuan, do I look pretty in this?"

Ziyuan looked her up and down and smiled faintly. "Extremely pretty! By the way, Su Chan, where are your other two Martial Aunts?"

Su Chan blinked, pointing towards the fitting rooms. "Over there. Sixth Martial Aunt and Third Martial Aunt are trying on clothes in the changing room. Fifth Martial Aunt came out much earlier."

As she spoke, the door to a changing room creaked open, and Zhuang Yating emerged, dressed in a qipao that made her appear poised, elegant, and radiantly beautiful. Su Chan greeted her happily. "Third Martial Aunt, you’re out? Sister Ziyuan and the others are looking for you."

Zhuang Yating looked up, surprised. "True Master Ziyuan, True Master Hongling, what brings you here to see me?"

Ziyuan smiled and shook her head. "Nothing much." With that, she cast a meaningful glance toward the fitting room where Cao Yi was, then pulled Ruan Hongling out the door.

After walking out with Ziyuan, Ruan Hongling lowered her voice. "Sister Ziyuan, why did you…"

Ziyuan cut her off. "Don't say it. Just know what you need to know in your heart. I can't confirm anything right now. However, this situation is very strange. Let’s just observe for now."

Ruan Hongling nodded, then asked, "Then, Sister Ziyuan, should we tell Li Yundong about running into Second Martial Aunt?"

Ziyuan considered this, then shook her head. "No, it’s better not to. Bringing it up might just cause misunderstandings."

Ruan Hongling replied, "Alright then." But internally, she mused: Sister Ziyuan, you don't want Li Yundong to know you've developed feelings for him, do you? But... have you actually fallen for the guy or not?

While the two women were lost in their private thoughts, Li Yundong sat alone in the restaurant, eyes closed, meditating quietly. Suddenly, a voice sounded beside him. "Oh, isn't this the Wine Immortal?"

Li Yundong opened his eyes to see a dignified, middle-aged man in a sharp suit standing before him, an arm draped casually around two beautiful women, grinning at him.

Li Yundong looked closer. Isn't this Zhao Yougen, the one who tried to force Cao Kefei to drink last time?

Li Yundong chuckled inwardly. What a small world; running into this guy here.

Li Yundong didn't stand up, merely raising his eyelids to look impassively at Zhao Yougen, pretending not to recognize him. "Who are you?"

Zhao Yougen, apparently having forgotten the pain of his last encounter, chuckled and dragged over a chair, sitting down boldly. He gestured for the two women beside him to sit too. "Little brother, this world truly is small. You run into me everywhere you go, hehe. How is Boss Cao doing these days? You must have made quite a bit of money following her?"

Li Yundong wasn't a fool; he immediately recognized the veiled jab about him being a kept man. In the past, he might have been secretly furious, but what kind of person was he now? Why bother stooping to argue with someone like this?

Li Yundong smiled playfully. "Ah, now I remember. You're President Zhao who got drunk and tried to cheat last time! What, are you looking to drink with me again?"

Zhao Yougen’s face darkened slightly when Li Yundong immediately brought up the past humiliation, but he quickly plastered on a smile and turned to the two beauties. "Young men have quite a temper, don't they?"

Although winter was approaching, Tiannan City was a southern metropolis. These two women were dressed fashionably and revealingly, their faces heavily made up, exuding a strong air of worldly experience. The moment they saw Li Yundong, their eyes lit up, and they appraised him with obvious interest. Hearing Zhao Yougen speak, they thought internally: More than just a temper; he’s an imposing, heroic-looking handsome man!

But since they were relying on Zhao Yougen for their meal, they naturally followed his lead. The slightly rounder woman on the left covered her mouth and chimed in, "The young man certainly has a fiery spirit, but it can't compare to President Zhao’s steady gravitas."

The other woman on the right laughed. "President Zhao is a successful man! You simply can't compare."

Li Yundong found this bizarre. He remained composed, watching Zhao Yougen with a steady smile, waiting to see what vanity display he was attempting to stage.

Last time, Zhao Yougen had tried to cause trouble and teach Li Yundong a lesson but ended up being humiliated by him instead. Fortunately, he reacted quickly enough to feign drunkenness and escape the utter disgrace, otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to show his face again.

Zhao Yougen considered that incident an unforgivable, deep shame and had always looked for a chance to retaliate. Today, he had brought two mistresses to attend a small social gathering. When he inadvertently passed by and saw Li Yundong sitting alone in the restaurant, the old grievance resurfaced, and he swaggered over with his two women to put on a show.

Zhao Yougen sat back arrogantly, tapping his teacup with his finger. The round-faced beauty obediently poured him a cup of tea, while the sharp-featured beauty on the left held up a cup and presented it to him sweetly. "President Zhao, please have your tea."

Zhao Yougen grunted, accepted the teacup with exaggerated elegance, and then smugly addressed Li Yundong. "Little brother, women are so much more considerate when they are truly close to you! If you have to constantly flatter a woman just for money, life becomes quite unpleasant, right? Having a woman spend money for you—while it’s capital—it’s still unpleasant. But making money to spend on women, so that the women are the ones flattering you—that feels much more satisfying, wouldn't you agree?"

Li Yundong secretly laughed, his smile deepening. "Yes, you are absolutely right."

Zhao Yougen puffed out his chest haughtily. "Little brother, you look like a man of talent. I won’t mention anything else, but when it comes to drinking, you are certainly top-tier. Why don't you just come work for me? Even if you just stand guard at the dinner table to take my overflow drinks, that would be fine. Old Brother here definitely won't treat you poorly. How about five thousand a month? What do you say?"

The round-faced beauty exclaimed, "No way! Five thousand just for drinking? That’s too easy! President Zhao, you’re showing favoritism! I want some too!"

The other beauty pouted. "President Zhao, you can't treat us unequally!"

Zhao Yougen basked in the flattery. "Alright, alright, you little she-devils who eat people without spitting out the bones! Haven't I given you enough money already? I’ll make it up to you later! Heh heh, I’ll give you a good, lavish treat later!"

His final words were suggestive, causing both women to giggle and playfully flirt back. "President Zhao, you’re so naughty, I hate you!"

Zhao Yougen, flanked by his companions, said triumphantly to Li Yundong, "Little brother, so, what do you say? Such generous terms. Agree to it?"

Seeing how long he had been posturing, demanding that he, a dignified cultivator and the sect leader, act as his drinking buffer—Li Yundong could hold back no longer. He threw his head back and burst into loud laughter.