With Li Yundong’s counter-question hanging in the air, Su Chan nodded vigorously.

“Absolutely true! I checked twice!” she insisted.

“And last time, I even overheard someone arguing with Senior Martial Aunt Cao Yi inside her room!” Li Yundong frowned, pondering for a moment, then said in a deep voice, “Who else knows about this?” Su Chan blinked her eyes.

“Just me.” A smile touched Li Yundong’s face.

He affectionately patted the little girl’s head, murmuring softly, “My little girl is already learning to ease my worries.” Su Chan beamed sweetly, linking her arm through Li Yundong’s.

“Little girl is always making trouble for Big Master; it makes my heart ache, so I just have to help Big Master in other ways!” Li Yundong chuckled.

“You did well handling this, but absolutely keep it secret.” Su Chan nodded obediently, then asked with a touch of suspicion, “Yundong, what are you going to do?” Li Yundong offered a slight smile.

“I have my ways.

You should go back now and make sure no one notices anything amiss.” Su Chan chirped, “Got it! Even though your little girl sometimes causes trouble, she’s not a fool, you know!” Li Yundong laughed heartily.

“Mm-hmm, my little girl is the smartest one!” Hearing his praise, Su Chan’s face lit up with delight.

She walked to the door, turned back, waved a hand, and whispered in a voice sickeningly sweet, “Little girl is leaving now!” Li Yundong chuckled and waved back.

Once the door closed, the smile on his face slowly settled, replaced by a thoughtful expression.

Under the moonlight, Li Yundong stood motionless, like a bedrock—deep and stern.

When dawn broke the next day, the members of the Fox Zen Sect were astonished to find Li Yundong already standing in the main hall.

Li Yundong stood facing the east-facing balcony, hands clasped behind his back, his stance perfectly balanced.

The balcony curtains and the floor-to-ceiling windows were wide open, letting the morning breeze stir the hem of his robes.

Golden dawn light draped over him like a thin veil, making him resemble a radiant, shining Buddha pagoda, brimming with mystery and majesty.

The little foxes of the Fox Zen Sect held their breath as they gazed at Li Yundong’s back, their eyes filled with reverence for their sect leader.

It was as if merely standing behind him guaranteed that all worries would cease, and only peace, serenity, and happiness would remain.

Zhou Qin had arranged to set out on the path to Foundation Establishment with Li Yundong that very day, so she arrived in the hall early.

Seeing all the little foxes gathered there, curiosity drew her gaze along their line of sight.

The moment she looked, Zhou Qin froze, staring at Li Yundong with captivated eyes, her breathing seemingly suspended.

By now, Li Yundong had shed the sharp, abrasive edges of his early cultivation years, replaced by a deep sense of stability and seasoned control.

To Zhou Qin, the former Li Yundong was like a blinding, piercing sun, impossible to look at directly; the current Li Yundong, however, was like a towering mountain—majestic and worthy of awe.

“He has grown so fast!” Zhou Qin thought with a faint sigh, a spark of sweetness and joy mixing within her.

She hadn’t been with him through his lowest points like Su Chan, but she had at least witnessed firsthand this young man’s gradual transformation from green inexperience to mature self-possession.

For her, nothing brought greater happiness than watching Li Yundong mature; this joy even surpassed the delight she found in her own cultivation progress.

Gradually, more people gathered in the hall, all struck silent by the different aura Li Yundong exuded that morning, not daring to even draw a full breath.

When everyone was present, Li Yundong finally turned around, nodded slightly, and said gravely, “You must all be wondering why I am posing here so early.” Hearing this, the little foxes couldn't help but giggle softly.

Su Chan and Ziyuan, knowing what Li Yundong intended to say, remained quiet, focusing intently on his next words.

Li Yundong nodded to the assembled group, inviting them to sit without formality.

He remained standing in the center and spoke solemnly, “Our Fox Zen Sect has recently experienced a significant event: we have finally secured our own source of income.

The Di San Xian has successfully opened for business, and I believe that after the opening ceremony today, no other sect will dare to try and choke the Di San Xian’s neck.

This means, from now on, the Fox Zen Sect will no longer have to live in fear and subservience regarding basic necessities!” The little foxes, accustomed to Li Yundong’s usual humor and easygoing nature, found his sudden grim expression unsettling.

They exchanged glances, unsure whether applause was appropriate or not.

Li Yundong paid them no mind and continued, “Furthermore, besides the opening ceremony, there is another great matter worthy of celebration!” Li Yundong nodded toward Zhou Qin, signaling her to approach him.

“This matter is that Zhou Qin is about to reach Foundation Establishment, and today, I will solemnly bestow several magical artifacts upon her.

I hope everyone can bear witness.” As the sect leader, Li Yundong held absolute authority over the sect’s magical artifacts, so there was no dissent among the Fox Zen members.

The little foxes gazed at Zhou Qin with envious eyes, each thinking: This girl is so lucky, possessing both a Human Origin Golden Elixir and magical artifacts from the Sect Leader! I’m green with envy! Li Yundong noticed their eager gazes, as if understanding their thoughts.

He smiled faintly.

“Don't be jealous.

I promise you all that when we acquire immortal elixirs and spiritual medicines in the future, you certainly won't be overlooked.

And the benefits of magical artifacts will surely be shared with you too!” Upon hearing this, the little foxes instantly broke into cheers, shouting "Long live!" repeatedly.

Li Yundong nodded and raised his hand slightly, and the little foxes immediately quieted down, ceasing their commotion.

Ziyuan, watching from the side, felt a touch of emotion.

Since Li Yundong took over as sect leader, although he was deeply beloved, the little foxes had always been overly familiar and lacked sufficient awe, requiring the three senior martial aunts to step in for discipline.

But now, Li Yundong’s bearing was clearly enough to command even these unruly little foxes.

Li Yundong then turned seriously to Zhou Qin.

“Zhou Qin, kneel.

I now bestow these artifacts upon you in the capacity of your Master.

I hope you will use them wisely after achieving Foundation Establishment.” Zhou Qin was equally solemn.

She knelt respectfully, raising both hands with her head slightly bowed, her gaze fixed on the hem of Li Yundong’s robes, and said, “I request Master bestow the treasures!” Li Yundong retrieved the Cold Radiance Serrated Vajra Wheel from his seven-colored brocade pouch and placed it in her hands.

“This was the personal artifact of Ye Yu of the Fox Zen Sect, originally named the Cold Radiance Serrated Vajra Wheel.

I now rename it Blazing Moon and entrust it to you, hoping you use it to sever all thorns and difficulties on your cultivation path!” Zhou Qin received it respectfully and set it aside.

Li Yundong then took out a whip, entirely scarlet, from his pouch.

He spoke in a deep voice, “Zhou Qin, receive the treasure!” Zhou Qin again raised both hands and said respectfully, “I request Master bestow the treasure!” Li Yundong stated, “This was the original personal artifact of Lü Fengping from the Yin-Yang Sect of Wuhua Mountain.

Though I do not know its original name, I christen it the Fire God Whip today, hoping it will shine brilliantly in your hands!” Zhou Qin accepted it reverently and placed the Fire God Whip beside her.

At this moment, Ruan Hongling, who had been observing the scene, suddenly whispered to Ziyuan, “Sister Ziyuan, this is the first time I’ve noticed that when Li Yundong gets serious, he actually looks quite commanding!” Ziyuan watched Li Yundong, not turning her head, and replied with a smile, “Didn’t he look commanding when he was on Tianlong Mountain?” Ruan Hongling scoffed, “That fellow is always joking around, never serious.

All I remember is him playing tricks on me; who remembers things from so long ago?” As Ziyuan watched Li Yundong solemnly present each artifact to Zhou Qin, her gaze suddenly grew distant, as if trying to pierce through the current scene to see a long-lost image deep within her memory.

She murmured, almost dreamily, “But I remember…” Li Yundong’s voice seemed to become vast and distant in Ziyuan’s ears, as if traveling from a far-off place.

That authoritative and solemn voice instantly brought her back to thoughts of her own Master, as if that figure, gentle as jade, was flickering before her eyes, and that voice, soft as water, was flowing beside her ear.

Just as Ziyuan was lost in a daze, Ruan Hongling suddenly reached out and waved her hand vigorously in front of Ziyuan’s eyes, whispering, “Hey, Sister Ziyuan, what’s wrong?” Ziyuan snapped back as if waking from a dream.

The vague figure from the depths of her memory vanished, replaced by the sight of Li Yundong.

A deep sense of bewilderment and confusion filled Ziyuan’s eyes as she involuntarily began comparing her Master with the young man before her.

In her memory, her Master was like clouds and wind, easygoing and natural; she had never seen him lose his temper.

He was always so calm and composed, his eyes seemingly able to see through the world and everything in it.

This young man, however, was sometimes like fire, acting impulsively, and at other times like a mountain, stern and profound, utterly inscrutable.

Thinking this, Ziyuan involuntarily murmured under her breath, “These are clearly two completely different people, so why do I always feel like they are so similar?” Ruan Hongling sighed inwardly upon hearing this.

She knew her senior sister harbored an intense, almost worshipful affection for her Master, leaving a deep imprint on her.

Consequently, she mimicked her Master in everything, constantly seeking his shadow and footsteps.

‘Sister Ziyuan used to have an inexplicable affection for Master, but now she’s clearly fallen for this fellow, yet she refuses to admit it.

Sigh, I wonder when that final barrier will be broken?’ Ruan Hongling thought with a worried frown.

Ruan Hongling knew that once Ziyuan slipped back into chasing her Master’s shadow, she would revert to that ethereal fairy figure, detached from worldly concerns.

That alone would be tolerable, but what if her Sister Ziyuan, like Master, simply abandoned everything and ascended to Immortality? What would become of her? Wouldn’t she be left utterly alone? Ruan Hongling didn't want Ziyuan to become like that, but she had no good solution, so she casually remarked, “Sister Ziyuan, why did Li Yundong have to become the Fox Zen Sect Leader? If he established his own sect, he could surely become a great figure in his own right!” Ziyuan’s clarity returned slightly, and she sighed softly.

“Given Li Yundong’s talent, insight, and fortunate encounters, if he were to establish his own school, he would undoubtedly become a Grandmaster in the future!” “A Grandmaster? That’s over the top!” Ruan Hongling thought dismissively but didn't argue.

While the two were speaking softly, Li Yundong retrieved a third artifact from the pouch.

Upon seeing it, the crowd gasped in unison: “The ** Sword!” Ruan Hongling’s mouth dropped open.

She whispered, “No way, he’s giving the ** Sword to Zhou Qin too? Isn’t he afraid someone will try to murder her and steal it?” Ziyuan smiled faintly, offering no comment.

Li Yundong held the ** Sword with both hands and announced, “Zhou Qin, receive the treasure!” Zhou Qin raised both hands again and said, “I request Master bestow the treasure!” Li Yundong stated, “This was the personal artifact of Yan Fang from the Ling Palace Branch of the Zhengyi Sect.

I am now passing it to you.

I hope you utilize it wisely in the future!” Zhou Qin accepted the ** Sword with respect, and by then, the little foxes of the Fox Zen Sect were so envious their eyes were nearly bulging out like a rabbit’s.

It was rare for a cultivator to possess even one magical artifact, yet Zhou Qin had instantly received three, each an extremely powerful cultivation tool! This was too much! Was being Li Yundong’s disciple this lucrative? Li Yundong seemed oblivious to the covetous eyes fixed on him.

After conferring the artifacts, he was about to speak when a doorbell chime sounded from the entrance.

Li Yundong looked up just as Su Chan, ever quick-witted, chirped, “I’ll check!” She scampered to the door, opened it to peer out, then turned back to call out loudly to Li Yundong, “Yundong! It’s a woman, looking for you!” Li Yundong was momentarily stunned.

Who? Who would know he was staying here?