As Zhang Ling and his group aggressively descended upon Tiannan City, Ziyuan and Su Chan, stationed on the rooftop of a building next to their residence, anxiously monitored their surroundings.

They dared not return home directly. While they knew their pursuers would certainly trace them to the vicinity, if the others pressed forward and charged straight into their home, it would result in a massacre.

Su Chan anxiously scanned the area from the rooftop, searching for Li Yundong’s figure. As she looked, she anxiously said to Ziyuan, "Sister Ziyuan, Yundong will come back, right?"

Ziyuan was under immense pressure. She knew that tonight they had thoroughly offended several major Daoist cultivation sects in the world. It was a case of "the innocent man bearing guilt for possessing a treasure." Li Yundong stealing the Human Yuan Golden Elixir and then letting their trail be discovered was an unthinkable disaster.

Though Ziyuan secretly chastised Li Yundong for needing to steal the Human Yuan Golden Elixir—with his strength, by cultivating step-by-step, he would soon become an immensely formidable great cultivator; why risk incurring the wrath of the entire world for it?

In the heat of the moment, Ziyuan hadn't argued with Li Yundong and had yielded to his judgment. But now, with nowhere to go, Ziyuan felt adrift and urgently needed to consult with him.

Yet, the two waited and waited, but Li Yundong did not return. Even the usually calm and composed Ziyuan began to panic, but Su Chan was far more distressed. Ziyuan could only force a show of composure and reassure her, "Don't worry. Li Yundong is quick-witted and extremely strong in combat; he will surely escape."

Su Chan paced frantically on the spot. "Then why isn't he back yet? I'm worried sick! How about I go look for him!"

Saying this, the young girl prepared to take flight to search for Li Yundong’s whereabouts.

Ziyuan quickly stopped her, persuading her, "Don't rush. Perhaps Li Yundong is leading them in circles so they won't find the house. Besides, where would you even search for him?"

Su Chan was so anxious that tears were about to fall. She replied, "But, but I'm just so worried."

Seeing Su Chan buzzing around like an ant on a hot pan, Ziyuan found her own anxiety deepening. Has something happened to Li Yundong? she thought.

Su Chan patiently waited a little longer, then gritted her teeth. "No, I have to go find him. Sister Ziyuan, you wait here, just in case he returns and can't find us; he'll worry too."

Ziyuan considered this. "No, I should go. You've made too many enemies in the cultivation world; it would be better if I went."

Su Chan hesitated, about to speak, when a flash of azure light streaked by, and a figure instantly landed not far from them. Su Chan focused her eyes and saw a handsome young man shouldering a black iron fan nearly as tall as a person, standing nearby with a smile, looking at them. Who else could it be but Li Yundong?

Su Chan erupted with joy, darting towards Li Yundong’s embrace like a returning swallow, shouting, "Master! You scared this girl half to death!"

Li Yundong opened his arms and pulled her in, laughing, "What's wrong?"

Su Chan cried and laughed simultaneously. "Why did you take so long to return? Dawn is almost breaking. I thought something had happened to you; I thought I was going to die from fright."

Li Yundong affectionately ruffled her hair, saying softly, "Silly girl, how could anything happen to me?"

As he spoke, he noticed Ziyuan watching them steadily from nearby. Li Yundong smiled and nodded at Ziyuan. "Are you two alright on the way here?"

Ziyuan had stayed back so as not to disturb Li Yundong and Su Chan's reunion. Now that Li Yundong was speaking to her, she stepped forward. "We are fine. Su Chan was just about to go look for you. But why did it take you so long, and how did you know we were here?"

Li Yundong chuckled. "I guarded the cave entrance. Seeing that you hadn't shown up for so long, I figured you had already fled. I left the Seven Treasures Spirit-Attuned Fan to cover our rear and slipped away long ago. However, after escaping the cave, I didn't run far; I hid in the mountains. When I saw those aggressive fellows charging toward Tiannan City, I quietly followed them back from a distance."

Ziyuan startled. "They charged over? Where are they?"

Li Yundong laughed. "They came and then went back. They must have been wary of the ordinary mortals around us and didn't dare start a major fight, so they retreated."

Ziyuan looked thoughtful. "That's very likely!" She then looked at Li Yundong and couldn't help but sigh. "Why were you so reckless this time, snatching the Human Yuan Golden Elixir right from under the noses of so many cultivators? Didn't you consider the consequences for yourself and your sect?"

Li Yundong offered no commitment. He stroked Su Chan’s hair, then turned to Ziyuan. "I predict they won't come tonight. It's windy here; let's go back and talk."

Ziyuan could only nod helplessly. As for Su Chan, as long as Li Yundong was by her side, she would treat the sky falling as merely a soft quilt. The young girl nodded her head rapidly like a chick pecking at grain, giggling, "Yundong, you were so impressive today, holding off so many pursuers by yourself."

Li Yundong chuckled, said nothing, and flew back to his own balcony with Su Chan and Ziyuan.

Since both Li Yundong’s and Ziyuan’s residences housed cultivators, these individuals had no habit of using the main entrance. Consequently, neither household had locked their balcony doors. Li Yundong landed at his dwelling, pushed the door open, and saw the room was pitch black and eerily silent, as if the little foxes and everyone else were already asleep.

Li Yundong nodded to Ziyuan and Su Chan, and the three tiptoed inside, gathering in Li Yundong's room.

After Li Yundong signaled Su Chan to close the door securely, he turned to Ziyuan. "You asked me just now why I went to snatch that Human Yuan Golden Elixir, right?"

Ziyuan nodded. "Yes. You've brought trouble upon yourself!"

Li Yundong wasn't angry; he smiled faintly and retorted, "Then let me ask you: even if I hadn't snatched the Human Yuan Golden Elixir, would the Zhengyi Sect have let you go?"

Ziyuan faltered, remaining silent.

Li Yundong continued, "And would the Zhengyi Sect have let us go?"

Ziyuan’s expression grew thoughtful, and she still said nothing.

Li Yundong continued, "You saw before, the Zhengyi Sect repeatedly coerced you and me, aggressively pressing us, clearly unwilling to leave us a path to survival. In their eyes, we are aberrations that must be eradicated, and you are a traitor assisting the wicked and betraying your own. Do you think this situation can be reversed?"

Ziyuan sighed softly. "Even so, there was no need to offend nearly every cultivation sect in the world."

Li Yundong laughed, retorting, "Strange. Last time, you urged me to steal the Medicine King Cauldron, but this time when I stole the Human Yuan Golden Elixir, you complain. What's the logic behind that?"

Ziyuan sighed. "That's not the same! Having the Medicine King Cauldron is like having a hen that lays eggs; you’ll never starve, no matter how hungry you get, you'll always have eggs. Stealing a chicken when you’re starving is a normal thing. But the Human Yuan Golden Elixir is just one egg. To offend almost every sect under heaven for one egg before you're truly starving—do you think it’s worth it?"

Li Yundong shook his head. "But if we can't even handle one Zhengyi Sect, why bother caring about the others? Offending one is the same as offending a group. These cultivators only wish that all the benefits in the world belonged to them so they wouldn't complain. If you gain a small benefit, they become envious and scheme against you behind your back! Wasn't our participation in the tea ceremony competition the best proof of that? If we don't fight and snatch things ourselves, do you expect other sects to offer us a path to live?"

Li Yundong’s tone grew stronger as he spoke, saying bluntly, "Ziyuan, don't be foolish! You and I have no turning back! Whether we stick our heads out or pull them back, we face the same risk! We might as well take the risk for great reward: snatch the Human Yuan Golden Elixir and strengthen our own power! In this day and age, only self-strengthening is the true path. Expecting others to show mercy is absolutely unrealistic!"

The longer Su Chan spent time with Ziyuan, the more respect she held for Ziyuan's character and integrity. Seeing Li Yundong's words leave Ziyuan speechless, the young girl felt pity and gently tugged Li Yundong's arm. "Yundong, don't speak to Sister Ziyuan like that. She's only thinking of your well-being."

Li Yundong hadn't expected Su Chan to speak up for Ziyuan. He chuckled, pinched the tip of the little girl's nose, and said softly, "Why don't you step out for a moment? I need to ask Ziyuan something in private, and I'll call you back in later, okay?"

Su Chan mumbled in agreement, looking at Li Yundong with wide, pleading eyes. "Then, don't be harsh with Sister Ziyuan, okay? Talk nicely."

Then, she turned to Ziyuan and said, "Sister Ziyuan, Yundong has a sharp tongue but a soft heart. Don't take his words to heart."

Li Yundong couldn't resist swatting her round bottom lightly, playfully scolding, "You’re trying to be a peacemaker for both sides and act sweet, making me the big villain. Hurry up and go! Come back later!"

Su Chan cried "Aiya," covered her bottom with both hands, made a face at Li Yundong, and then turned to leave. Before closing the door, she stuck her head out one last time, her eyes darting around, her expressive, lively eyes seemingly asking: Yundong, please don't be mean to Sister Ziyuan.

Li Yundong understood the little girl’s thoughts perfectly. He mock-scolded, "Still looking? Look again and you get another swat!"

Su Chan stuck out her tongue and finally closed the door.

Ziyuan watched Su Chan leave with a gentle smile, sighing softly, "You are truly blessed to have such an intimate companion as Su Chan."

Li Yundong nodded and sighed quietly. "Yes."

Ziyuan smiled. "You have something you want to ask me; go ahead."

Li Yundong's expression turned serious. "Let's start from when we went to Gezao Mountain."

Ziyuan nodded. "Alright."

Li Yundong asked, "I have a few questions. Why, the moment Su Chan chased out of the room, did you immediately pursue after hearing that person resembled Cao Yi or Zhuang Yating?"

Ziyuan sighed softly. "I knew with your intelligence, this matter wouldn't stay hidden from you for long, but I didn't expect you to discover it so quickly."

Li Yundong said with a stern face, "Tell me quickly. This entire affair is crucial and bizarre. Why did Yan Fang appear after we followed that person to the Gezao Sect? I can understand Yan Fang having the Liu E Sword, but why did Yan Fang appear when we were tracking our Fox Zen Sect’s Senior Martial Uncle to the Gezao Sect? If this is just a coincidence, it simply doesn't add up. Could it be that Yan Fang is Cao Yi or Zhuang Yating?"

Ziyuan slowly nodded. "You guessed correctly! When we were eating at the mall last time, and Su Chan and the others went shopping, I didn't want to go, but Ruan Hongling told me she saw Senior Martial Aunt Yan Fang nearby. Alarmed, I followed out. Later, I realized Senior Martial Aunt Yan Fang’s Yang Spirit was incredibly vibrant. For her Yang Spirit to be out of her body for so long and remain so strong without finding her physical body would be impossible. Moreover, she seemed to know our movements perfectly, suggesting she might have been lurking around us all along."

Li Yundong’s mind stirred. "And she previously demonstrated the ability to possess Mo Ashi, so you suspected she was hidden within the Fox Zen Sect?"

Ziyuan replied, "Exactly! That’s why I immediately rushed to the changing room, wanting to see who was currently with the group and who was alone. A Senior Martial Aunt whose Yang Spirit had just possessed someone couldn't smoothly manage having her Yang Spirit out while her physical body moved unimpeded; she would definitely need to hide somewhere unseen by everyone. So, while everyone was outside, only Cao Yi and Zhuang Yating were in the fitting room. That's when I began to suspect one of those two."

Li Yundong frowned deeply upon hearing this, cursing inwardly. "This Yan Fang truly hasn't given up on destroying our Fox Zen Sect! Killing Mo Ashi wasn't enough; she actually possessed Cao Yi or Zhuang Yating. How despicable! Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

Ziyuan smiled faintly. "My reason was the same as why you sent Su Chan away earlier."

Li Yundong fell silent. He had sent Su Chan away for fear that hearing these things might cause her to reveal something in her usual manner or that she wouldn't be able to handle the shock of the truth.

Li Yundong thought for a moment, discontented. "I understand that Su Chan can't keep secrets, but surely I'm not so lacking in judgment? How could you hide something this major from me? If Yan Fang has been harming people during this time, how am I supposed to account for that to others?"

Ziyuan sighed. "At the time, I was convinced Yan Fang wouldn't act rashly. She painstakingly infiltrated our ranks, so she must have a grand plan, something far-reaching! However, this was indeed my fault; I apologize to you here."

Li Yundong waved his hand. "Forget it. It's done now; talking about it is useless. Let me ask you my second question."

Ziyuan, however, smiled faintly and countered, "You surely have many questions. Perhaps we should each ask one, to be fair."

Li Yundong considered this. "Fine. Ask your question first."

Ziyuan nodded and inquired, "How do you intend to dispose of the Human Yuan Golden Elixir you retrieved? If I haven't guessed wrong, you mean to give it to either Su Chan or Zhou Qin. Which one do you intend to give it to?"

This question immediately plunged Li Yundong into silence and deep contemplation.