The moment Li Yundong heard that Ziyuan was going to teach him the art of the Five Thunders Orthodox Method, he was immediately thrilled and excited. His deepest desire in cultivation was to conquer the might of heaven, transcend the cosmos, and thereby protect himself, Su Chan, and everyone around him from the harm of those powers. And the might of thunder is the might of heaven! To command the power of lightning was equivalent to mastering the strongest force between heaven and earth! Li Yundong burst forth with joy, “You know the Five Thunders Orthodox Method?” Ziyuan smiled faintly. She replied, “I don’t know it, but I know how to cultivate it.” Li Yundong laughed, “It seems, Immortal Sister, you are also a genius with perfect recall. Are all the ancient texts you’ve read memorized in your mind?” Ziyuan chuckled, “I do remember them all, but many years have passed since then. Now, I can’t guarantee every single word is correct. And with cultivation, if even one character in the method is wrong, the outcome can be vastly different. Do you know the origins of the Fox Zen Sect?” Li Yundong chuckled humbly, “Ashamed, ashamed. As the sect master of the Fox Zen Sect, I don't know its origins. Please enlighten me, True Person Ziyuan.” Ziyuan couldn't help but tease him back, “You, an outsider, have become the master of the Fox Zen Sect, yet you require me, another outsider, to tell you its history. Don't you find that absurd?” Li Yundong laughed, “Absurd plus absurd equals what is expected. It’s just like negative times negative equals positive!” With that, the two exchanged a look and burst into simultaneous laughter.
Ziyuan pursed her lips and smiled, “Back in the reign of Emperor Xianzong of Tang, the eminent monk Baizhang was lecturing. Every time he finished, he noticed an old man lingering behind. Baizhang asked who he was. The old man replied, ‘I resided on this mountain five hundred years ago. A scholar asked me: Does a great cultivator still fall under the cycle of karma? I answered: He does not fall under karma. As a result, I was condemned to the body of a wild fox. I ask the monk to rephrase my answer for me.’ Baizhang instructed him to speak. The old man then asked again: Does a great cultivator still fall under the cycle of karma? Baizhang replied: He remains unaware of karma! Upon hearing this, the old man was instantly enlightened. He said: I have shed the body of the wild fox. I am behind the mountain; please offer me a passing monk’s rites for liberation.” “The next day, Baizhang instructed his disciples to search the entire mountain. They eventually found the corpse of a black fox atop a large flat rock behind the mountain. After their vegetarian meal, they cremated it with the rites reserved for a deceased monk…”
Li Yundong suddenly understood upon hearing this, “Ah, Su Chan had previously mentioned fragments of the story of the Stone Fox Elder—Pan Shi Hu Lao—but vaguely. When we were at the hospital, she also mentioned ‘not falling under karma’ and ‘remaining unaware of karma.’ At the time, I thought she was just deeply moved by something. It turns out there's a specific anecdote behind it.”
Ziyuan nodded, “Precisely. ‘Not falling under karma’ () and ‘remaining unaware of karma’ ()—they differ by just one character, yet their meanings are diametrically opposed. ‘Not falling under karma’ suggests that a truly great cultivator can act recklessly, unafraid of heavenly or earthly retribution, because they believe their own power transcends the cycle of reincarnation. Conversely, ‘remaining unaware of karma’ asserts the opposite: no matter how powerful a cultivator is, they cannot escape karmic consequence; even a Bodhisattva must revere it! The former is a heretical fallacy, which is why Pan Shi Hu Lao was punished, transforming from a monk into a wild fox for five hundred years. The latter is the ultimate truth of the world; with one moment of sudden realization, he immediately transcended the wild fox body to become an immortal. This demonstrates the immense difference a single character can make!”
Li Yundong clapped his hands in admiration, “You speak the truth! However, I only learned today that Pan Shi Hu Lao was once a monk himself. No wonder his Seven Treasures Spirit Fan is engraved with the talismans of the Vajra Sutra; that artifact is suffused with the majestic, solemn power of Buddhism.”
Ziyuan continued, “That is correct. After Pan Shi Hu Lao attained liberation, he lamented the five centuries he spent trapped in the delusion of the demonic path. He wished to prevent other cultivators who fell into the same errors from remaining trapped. Thus, he created the Fox Zen Sect. Initially, he widely accepted disciples from all over the world, not just fox spirits. But gradually, the fox spirits gained absolute control within the sect. Especially under the fourth generation master, Tianji Xuanhu, the Fox Zen Sect entirely transformed into a sect exclusively for fox spirits, and the name Fox Zen Sect became synonymous with fox spirits.”
Li Yundong asked, “I understand everything you’ve said, but after all this talk, what does it have to do with learning the Five Thunders Orthodox Method?”
Ziyuan smiled faintly, “What I mean is that cultivation methods must be based strictly on canonical texts. Never casually trust another person’s words on cultivation, otherwise, if you are misled, you will fall into the demonic path of the wild fox body, unable to transcend for centuries.”
Li Yundong chuckled, “I trust you won’t harm me. Why worry so much?”
Ziyuan shook her head, “You trust me, but I don't entirely trust myself. If I misstate even one word, you could face eternal damnation. Here is the arrangement: Today, I will only teach you the fundamental essentials of the Five Thunders. Tomorrow, you will return with me to the Linggong Sect headquarters. I will check my master’s collection; I remember he treasured a supreme technique from the Shenxiao Sect called the Jade Book of Five Thunders. You can study that and deepen your learning.”
Li Yundong was surprised, “Isn’t the Linggong Sect sealed? How can we return?”
Ziyuan smiled slightly, tilting her head to gaze at the vast, boundless sky. “Heaven itself forbids us from cultivating, yet are we not still defying fate? They can seal the Linggong Sect grounds, but they cannot seal our legs.”
Li Yundong roared with laughter, “Well said! Tonight we’ll sneak into the Linggong Sect! But first, True Person Ziyuan, please instruct me on how to practice the Five Thunders tonight!”
Ziyuan spent the late night imparting the theory and practice of the Five Thunders to Li Yundong, explaining the concepts without tiring, until the sky began to pale before they finally parted ways, agreeing to head to the Linggong Sect on Mount Longhu the following evening.
When morning arrived, Zhou Qin and Ruan Hongling still came to call Li Yundong for class. Though both girls were proud and headstrong, their temperaments were somewhat similar, allowing them to converse easily, and they quickly became friends.
Seeing the two of them, Li Yundong quickly waved them off, shaking his head. “No more classes! Please ask for an excuse for me. If necessary, arrange a temporary suspension or leave of absence—anything works. I absolutely cannot go back to school; haven't I caused enough trouble already?”
Zhou Qin looked disappointed and somewhat unwilling, asking again, “Then what will you do instead of going to school?”
Li Yundong smiled, “Of course, I’ll go check on the shop. If I don’t look in on it even one day, I feel uneasy.”
Zhou Qin considered this, then said, “Then I’ll go with you. I can help out while I’m there.”
Ruan Hongling stamped her foot in annoyance, “Zhou Qin, you’re so disloyal! You promised to go to class with me, and now you’re breaking our promise and standing me up!”
Zhou Qin laughed, “Of course I need to follow my Master. Hongling, I apologize; I’ll treat you to a meal another day.”
Ruan Hongling turned her head away angrily, “Hmph, as if I care!” Then, she snapped at Li Yundong, “I won’t ask for leave for you! If you need leave, find someone else to ask!”
Saying that, she turned and walked away, her ponytail swinging expressively behind her head.
Li Yundong watched her retreating back and laughed, “That girl has the temper of a firecracker; she ignites instantly.” He then looked up at Zhou Qin, “It’s good that you’re coming with me today. We can discuss the renovation work, and along the way, if you have any questions about your cultivation, you can ask me. I can help explain things too. I’ve been too busy lately, neglecting you—don’t take it to heart.”
Hearing this, Zhou Qin felt a warmth spreading through her heart. She smiled faintly, her smile as sweet as honey, and whispered, “As long as I am by your side, even if you never speak to me or acknowledge me, I… I will be fine…”
Seeing her radiant smile, like a hundred flowers blooming, Li Yundong’s heart skipped a beat. He quickly averted his gaze, not daring to respond to her words.
Li Yundong cleared his throat, changing the subject, “Then let’s head out now. Oh, right, call Ziyuan too…”
Zhou Qin saw that Li Yundong hadn't replied to her, her eyes shifting subtly. She didn't press him and softly agreed. But just as she was about to turn away, she asked again, “Wait, should we call Su Chan?”
Li Yundong was about to speak when he suddenly sensed light footsteps approaching. A flicker crossed his mind, and a smile touched his lips. He deliberately spoke loudly, “No need to call her. That girl only brings me trouble. If we call her, she’ll probably stir up some new mess.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Su Chan leaped out from the doorway, hands on her hips, her face registering theatrical displeasure. “How dare you! The moment I arrive, I hear you badmouthing me behind my back! Mean! How have I brought you trouble? You clearly just want to dump me!”
With that, she covered her face with both hands and burst into loud, theatrical sobs.
Seeing the little girl crying, Li Yundong quickly moved forward. But upon closer inspection, he noticed that although her face was covered, a pair of eyes peeked keenly between her fingers, watching him with cunning alertness.
The moment those bright, clever eyes met his, she hastily averted them, clamped her fingers tightly together again, and continued her noisy, dramatic wailing. But after a while, it was all thunder and no rain.
Now Li Yundong understood—the girl was being playfully demanding. He suppressed his laughter, adopting an air of detached amusement, studying the girl with interest, but offering no comfort.
Su Chan wailed dramatically for a while. Seeing Li Yundong make no move, she couldn't resist sneaking another peek through her fingers. Seeing Li Yundong’s spectator-like expression, the little girl was instantly displeased. She dropped her hands, pouting fiercely, and stamped her foot, demanding, “Why aren’t you comforting me?”
Li Yundong couldn't help but burst into loud laughter, “Comfort you for what?”
Su Chan puffed out her cheeks, looking aggrieved, “You just like bullying me! Ugh, you’re so annoying!” Then, she turned to Zhou Qin, grabbed her hand, and acted spoiled, “Sister Zhou Qin, look! Look quickly! How annoying this person is! Not only does he gossip behind my back, but he deliberately makes me angry!”
Zhou Qin saw Su Chan’s charming innocence. Though she sometimes felt jealous of her, she could never truly bring herself to hate her. She smiled, “Master is just playing with you.”
Su Chan made a face at Li Yundong, then adopted a posture ready for more theatrics, threatening, “Are you taking me out or not?”
Seeing her determined stance, Li Yundong threw up his hands in mock surrender, laughing, “How dare I not? Come, come, Your Majesty, Little Li will escort you out of the palace.”
Su Chan instantly beamed, skipping up to Li Yundong. She struck a pose with dramatic flourish, then drew out her words, saying, “Proceed!”
Li Yundong quickly got into character, adopting a humble and subservient demeanor, carefully holding Su Chan’s delicate wrist, and leading her out of the room.
Since Li Yundong lived on the second floor, the commotion they were making had already been noticed by the little foxes downstairs. The moment he stepped out, Li Yundong noticed them all poking their heads out, their eyes fixed on him.
Li Yundong sucked in a cold breath. He thought to himself: Good heavens, with so many eyes watching me, I might lose control over my household affairs, but I must maintain the dignity and authority of the Sect Master! If these little foxes start joining the ruckus, will I even survive?
A thought struck Li Yundong, and he immediately hatched a plan. He bowed and scraped towards Su Chan, “Your Majesty, please close your eyes. Little Li is taking you to a wonderful place.”
Su Chan didn't doubt him, closing her eyes and saying cheerfully, “Little Li, where are you taking the Empress Dowager?”
Li Yundong let out a sound of delight upon hearing that. He thought: Hmph, little girl, you’re really pushing your luck!
Li Yundong suppressed his laughter and said, “Your Majesty, rest assured. Little Li will take you out of the palace now.”
Saying this, he turned a corner, led Su Chan into the washroom, and then, with lightning speed, spun around, rushed out, and quickly locked the door from the outside.
Su Chan snapped back to reality, opened her eyes, rushed to the door, and cried out in surprise, “Why did you lock me in here?”
Li Yundong laughed heartily, “Didn’t you need to relieve yourself? Isn't this me escorting you to relieve yourself?”
Su Chan finally realized she had been tricked by Li Yundong’s mischief. She stamped her foot and shouted, “I don’t need to relieve myself! I need to leave the palace!”
At this point, the little foxes downstairs erupted in laughter, covering their mouths like gourds shaking with mirth.
Li Yundong stood on the stairs and glared at them, “Still laughing! Do you all need to relieve yourselves too? Should I send all of you out later?”
The little foxes immediately jumped up, giggling, and scurried into their rooms.
Li Yundong turned to look at Zhou Qin. He saw the usually serious girl bent over with laughter. He quickly gave her a meaningful look and urged, “Idiot, what are you still standing there for? If you don't run now, when will you?”
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