The group of little foxes was about to rush upstairs when Cao Yi suddenly hissed, "Insolent whelps! Do you want the Sect Master to suffer a cultivation deviation!"

At that moment, Zhuang Yating also stepped forward and shot the foxes a sharp glance: "Making a racket at a time like this, have you no sense of propriety!"

Ziyuan was just emerging from the washroom. She gave Cao Yi a meaningful look, then glanced at Zhuang Yating, nodded slightly to both of them, and continued upstairs. She took the towel from Ruan Hongling's hand and whispered, "Give it to me. You might as well stay here and keep watch. There's no need to close the door; since we're all women, Zhou Qin won't be afraid of accidentally exposing herself. It’s better for the room to air out anyway."

Ruan Hongling glanced at Zhou Qin, a look of intense envy shining in her eyes. She murmured softly, "Truly, some people are blessed while others are not. She is so fortunate, having the Human Origin Golden Elixir to take, and two great masters escorting her. Hmph, I was not so lucky!"

Ziyuan lightly tapped Ruan Hongling's forehead with her finger, glared at her, and softly chastised, "How dare you say that? You were fed spirit herbs and bathed in medicinal decoctions since childhood. Do you think the things you consumed were meager? Truly ungrateful! Zhou Qin being able to take the Human Origin Golden Elixir is her destiny. As the saying goes: one’s fate, two’s luck, three’s geomancy, four’s accumulated virtue, five’s learning, six’s reputation, seven’s appearance, eight’s reverence for the divine, nine’s connection to nobles, and ten’s health preservation. Among the ten things that can most change a person’s life, destiny is the first! Some things are predestined; they cannot be forced, no matter how hard you stare with envy. For you, a cultivator, not to see this clearly!"

Ruan Hongling made a face: "Don't I know it? I was just saying it casually, and you launch into such a long lecture. Hmph, how boring!"

While the two were talking, Li Yundong tossed out another towel and ordered in a low voice, "Change!"

Ziyuan quickly tossed the dry towel to Su Chan and went into the washroom to clean herself before drying off with her own vital energy.

This process repeated dozens of times before the sweat finally began to subside on Zhou Qin’s body, and the multi-colored radiance surrounding her slowly dimmed.

Li Yundong, far from relaxing, became even more focused. He leaned close to Zhou Qin's ear and began to gently guide her meditative consciousness to observe her internal energies, to visualize the elements within her Minor Thousand World.

This continued for two days until Li Yundong had forcefully propelled Zhou Qin’s cultivation to the advanced stages of the Third Heaven—the realms of Yinling (Seal Spirit), Juxian (Materialization), and Dazizai (Great Freedom). Only then did Zhou Qin's energy completely drain, and she slipped from meditation into a deep sleep.

Li Yundong finally let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. A wave of fatigue washed over him, and his lower back felt stiff.

He removed his hand, which had been resting above Zhou Qin's Baihui acupoint on her crown, covered her with a quilt, laid her down on the bed, tucked the covers around her, and finally walked toward the door.

What struck him as odd was that for the past two days, people had been standing guard outside the door, ready to help if needed, but now the doorway was empty.

When he stepped out into the hallway, Li Yundong discovered everyone gathered in the main hall, engaged in anxious, low-voiced discussions.

As soon as he emerged, he immediately drew everyone's attention. They all looked up at him simultaneously. Ziyuan, Su Chan, and Ruan Hongling were instantly overjoyed. Su Chan exclaimed excitedly, "Yundong, you're out? Where is Sister Zhou Qin?"

Ziyuan also smiled faintly, "Are you done?"

Li Yundong smiled and nodded to them, walking down the stairs. His voice was laced with exhaustion as he said, "Done. Zhou Qin is asleep. What were you all discussing?"

Su Chan's face instantly shifted from joy to worry. She grabbed Li Yundong's hand and anxiously declared, "Something happened! There’s trouble at the shop!"

Li Yundong startled, "What happened?"

Ziyuan softly interjected, "It’s nothing major, don't fret. You’ve been busy for two days; rest a bit before you worry about it."

Su Chan then came to her senses, thinking: Yundong was guarding Zhou Qin for two days and nights, non-stop helping her expand her meridians and guiding her cultivation. He must be completely worn out. Why am I being so impatient and making him worry?

The young girl nodded too, taking Li Yundong's arm: "Yes, Yundong, you really should rest first, okay?"

Li Yundong sighed slightly and said gravely, "I'm fine. Tell me exactly what happened?"

Seeing that persuasion was useless, Ziyuan explained, "It’s about the permits. Someone is deliberately blocking our administrative approvals. And regarding the renovation company, the people working under Manager Han have all been poached. We can't continue the construction now."

Li Yundong was dumbfounded: "What? How did this happen?" As he spoke, the disciples of the Fox Zen Sect began murmuring amongst themselves. The little foxes looked at Li Yundong with worried expressions, their eyes pleading for him to devise a good solution.

Seeing their concern, Li Yundong exchanged a look with Ziyuan and Su Chan, then addressed Cao Yi: "Martial Uncle Cao Yi, please take the disciples to practice first. I need to speak with Ziyuan and Su Chan privately."

Cao Yi nodded in understanding, taking the little foxes to Ziyuan’s residence across the way, while Li Yundong, Ziyuan, and Su Chan went into his room.

As soon as they entered, before Ziyuan could close the door, Li Yundong asked, "Our document review is being bottlenecked? What exactly is going on? Does opening a shop require so many document reviews?"

Since Zhou Qin had been in charge of this matter, and Li Yundong had given her full authority without looking into any details himself, and with Zhou Qin currently in a deep sleep, Li Yundong was completely unaware of the specifics of the problem.

Ziyuan explained, "Opening a shop requires obtaining a business license..."

Li Yundong questioned, "Didn't we get that sorted last time? Didn't Old Madam Xu have her son handle it for us?"

Ziyuan sighed, "Li Yundong, it’s not that simple. Old Madam Xu primarily helped us secure the storefront and deal with the rent last time, but actually obtaining the business license is far more complicated. To get a business license, you first need the premises, then your various identification documents, and the lease contract from the Housing Management Bureau..."

Su Chan interjected at this point, "The lease contract from the Housing Management Bureau was what Sister Zhou Qin went to apply for last time, right?"

Ziyuan nodded: "Yes. In short, we need the original and duplicate copies of the Business License, Organization Code Certificate, Local Tax Certificate, State Tax Certificate, and the Bank Account Permit for Capital..."

Li Yundong felt a massive headache coming on: "Wait, why are there so many things? I thought Zhou Qin had everything settled last time."

Ziyuan shook her head and sighed helplessly, "Have you looked at where we are? This is China. Don't you know these petty officials wait for exactly these sorts of things to wear you down? I wasn't even finished. For us to open a tea shop, we also need a Health Permit from the Health Bureau. And the most crucial part—the biggest hurdle they are using to corner us—is that we also need a corporate bank account, and that account must hold our registered capital."

Li Yundong forced a wry smile: "This is insane! Opening a shop is this troublesome? Just hearing about it gives me a headache. What is this registered capital you mentioned? How much is needed?"

Ziyuan replied, "At least one million!"

Li Yundong gasped, sucking in a sharp breath: "One million? Damn it, where am I supposed to find a million right now?"

Ziyuan said resignedly, "Actually, it's not a fixed regulation. The standard for registered capital can fluctuate quite a bit, but since someone wants to make trouble for us, the Administration for Industry and Commerce has set the standard very high."

Li Yundong frowned in anger: "Who is stabbing us in the back? It couldn't be Director Wang, could it?"

Ziyuan shook her head: "Probably not. I called him earlier to ask about the situation. He said someone higher up wants to target us, and there's nothing he can do."

Li Yundong asked, "Did he say who wants to target us?"

Ziyuan replied, "He didn't dare say, but I can probably guess."

Li Yundong pressed urgently, "Who is it?"

Ziyuan sighed: "Li Yundong, think about it. You've offended so many sects previously, and most of those sects hold some measure of power. Furthermore, the state has recently relaxed its control over the cultivation world, causing the cultivation world to start spreading and expanding into the business and political sectors again. If officials and merchants can collude, why can't officials and cultivators collude? You must realize what officials fear the most? They fear death the most, and they fear aging! And what are cultivators best at? Nurturing life, extending longevity!"

Li Yundong suddenly realized: "I get it! No wonder that commotion caused by that Daoist Li Yi recently was so big. All those 'Qigong Masters' and 'National Treasure Doctors' were enthusiastically supported by countless wealthy businessmen and high-ranking officials—that's why!"

Ziyuan continued, "When you offended so many sects at once, although they wouldn't dare openly cause trouble for you, if you try to open a shop in the secular world, they have countless ways to deal with you. For instance, blocking your administrative approvals, as is happening now, is one such method."

Li Yundong snorted coldly, "Then what about the issue with the renovation company? Is that also these same people causing trouble?"

Ziyuan said, "I don't know about that one."

Li Yundong thought for a moment and said, "I'll go down to the shop now and see what’s really going on."

Ziyuan suggested, "That's a good idea. I'll accompany you."

Su Chan chirped happily, "I'm coming too!"

Seeing the little girl’s playful smile, Li Yundong felt a sense of relief; it was as if the troubles he'd just heard about were trivial matters.

Li Yundong smiled and pinched the tip of the girl's nose, asking, "How can you still be smiling? Aren't you worried?"

The little girl clung to Li Yundong’s arm and pouted playfully: "What is there to worry about? You braved such danger at Mount Gezao last night, and my Yundong can certainly turn bad luck into good fortune and danger into safety!"

Li Yundong laughed heartily: "You're absolutely right. The cart will find its way when it reaches the mountain; there's nothing to worry about."

The group left the house, took a taxi to the pedestrian street, and when they arrived at the shop, Li Yundong immediately saw that the site, which had begun construction, was a complete mess—debris everywhere. A section of one wall had been smashed open, revealing a twisted steel rebar that was particularly jarring to see.

Ziyuan frowned slightly, surveying the surroundings. She remarked, "I called Manager Han earlier. He said he needs to hire new staff, but it will take a long time. I'm afraid we won't be able to open this shop for a while."

Li Yundong chuckled, "Are there no other renovation companies?"

Ziyuan looked even more helpless: "I already contacted several renovation companies in Tiannan City. As it turns out, none of them are available right now..."

Li Yundong was momentarily speechless: "It couldn't be such a coincidence, could it?"

Ziyuan said, "Someone must be behind this, otherwise such coincidences wouldn't happen!"

Li Yundong was about to reply when he suddenly heard the shop door being shoved open, followed by a loud, arrogant voice: "Oh, little brother! You're here! Hahaha, well, how is the shop renovation going along?"

Hearing this, Li Yundong turned his head to see a middle-aged man brazenly looking at him while embracing two garishly made-up women. It was none other than Zhao Yougen!

============================================== I accidentally found an image that felt very much like a character from this novel. So, I asked Chiyue and Xiangcai to collaborate on making it a cover. Everyone can guess which character it might be~C