Facing Li Yundong’s counter-question, Su Chan nodded firmly. “Absolutely true!

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

“Only me.” A smile surfaced on Li Yundong’s face. He patted the little girl’s head with relief, speaking softly, “My little darling knows how to ease my worries.” Su Chan smiled sweetly, wrapping her arm around Li Yundong’s.

She said affectionately, “This little one always causes trouble for Master, it makes my heart ache, so I must help my Master in other ways!” Li Yundong chuckled. “You did well handling this, but absolutely keep it between us.” Su Chan nodded obediently, then asked with a hint of suspicion, “Yundong, what are you going to do?” Li Yundong smiled faintly and replied, “I have my ways.

You should head back now, don’t let anyone notice anything is amiss.” Su Chan giggled. “Got it!

Though this little girl sometimes messes things up for you, she’s not a fool!” Li Yundong laughed heartily. “Yes, yes, my little darling is the smartest!” Delighted by Li Yundong’s praise, Su Chan’s face bloomed with happiness.

She walked to the door, turned back, waved her hand, and whispered in a voice sickly sweet, “Little one is leaving now!” Li Yundong smiled and waved back. Once the door clicked shut, the smile on his face slowly settled, his expression thoughtful.

In the moonlight, Li Yundong stood motionless like bedrock, profound and stern. When the next day dawned, the members of the Fox Zen Sect were surprised to find Li Yundong already standing in the living room early that morning.

Li Yundong stood facing the eastern balcony, hands clasped behind his back, feet planted perfectly balanced. The balcony curtains and floor-to-ceiling windows were wide open.

The morning breeze stirred the hem of his robes, and the golden morning light draped over him like a thin veil, making him resemble a radiant, luminous pagoda, full of mystery and majesty. The little foxes of the Fox Zen Sect held their breath as they watched Li Yundong’s back, gazing at their Sect Master with adoration, as if standing behind him guaranteed peace, safety, and perfect contentment.

Zhou Qin, having agreed with Li Yundong to set off on the path to Foundation Establishment that day, arrived in the living room early too. Seeing the little foxes spacing out, she followed their gazes out of curiosity.

At that sight, Zhou Qin froze. She stared at Li Yundong, mesmerized, her breath seemingly halted.

By now, Li Yundong had shed the sharp, raw edge of his early cultivation days, replaced by composure and depth. To Zhou Qin, the former Li Yundong was like a sun blindingly bright, impossible to look at directly; the current Li Yundong was like a towering mountain, lofty and worthy of reverence.

“He has grown so fast!” Zhou Qin murmured inwardly, feeling a pang of sweetness and joy. Unlike Su Chan, who stayed with him through his lowest times, she had at least personally witnessed this young man’s slow transformation from green immaturity to ripened maturity.

In her eyes, nothing brought her more happiness than watching Li Yundong grow and mature; this joy even surpassed the joy of her own cultivation progress. Gradually, more people filled the living room.

They were all awestruck by the different aura Li Yundong exuded that day, each daring not to draw a deep breath. Once everyone had assembled, Li Yundong finally turned around, nodded slightly, and said in a deep voice, “You must be wondering why I’m posing here so early in the morning?” Hearing Li Yundong speak, the little foxes couldn't help but giggle softly.

Su Chan and Ziyuan knew what Li Yundong intended to say, so they did not laugh, but waited silently and attentively for his next words. Li Yundong nodded to the assembly, signaling them to sit down and relax.

He remained standing in the center, speaking gravely, “Recently, our Fox Zen Sect experienced a great event: we have finally opened our own source of income. Di San Xian has successfully launched, and I believe, after the opening ceremony of the first day, no other sect will dare to throttle Di San Xian again.

This means, from now on, our Fox Zen Sect will no longer have to live in fear, dependent on others for basic sustenance!” The little foxes, accustomed to Li Yundong’s humor and ease, were momentarily unsettled by his sudden solemn expression. They exchanged glances, unsure whether to applaud or not.

Li Yundong ignored their confusion and continued, “Furthermore, besides the opening ceremony, there is another major event worthy of celebration!” Li Yundong nodded to Zhou Qin, signaling her to approach him, and announced, “This event is that Zhou Qin is about to reach Foundation Establishment, and today, I will formally bestow several Dharma Artifacts upon her. I hope you all will bear witness.” As Sect Master, Li Yundong held absolute authority over the sect's Dharma Artifacts, so the Fox Zen Sect had no objections.

The little foxes stared at Zhou Qin with eyes full of envy, secretly thinking: This girl is so lucky, having both a Yuan Core Pill and receiving Dharma Artifacts from the Sect Master! We’re dying of jealousy!

Seeing their eager gazes fixed on him, as if understanding their thoughts, Li Yundong smiled faintly and said, “Don’t be envious. I promise you, in the future, when there are immortal elixirs and spiritual medicines, you certainly won't be left out.

And the benefits of Dharma Artifacts will surely include you too!” Upon hearing this, the little foxes’ faces lit up, and they all cheered loudly. Li Yundong nodded and slightly raised a hand.

The little foxes immediately quieted down, ceasing their clamor. Ziyuan, observing from the side, felt a touch of emotion.

Since taking over the Fox Zen Sect, although Li Yundong was deeply loved, the little foxes were always overly familiar, lacking proper awe. Thus, managing these wild little foxes always required the intervention of the three Senior Uncles.

But now, Li Yundong’s bearing was enough to subdue these unruly sprites. Li Yundong then turned seriously to Zhou Qin.

“Zhou Qin, kneel. I will now impart these Dharma Artifacts to you in the capacity of a Master.

I hope you utilize them well after achieving Foundation Establishment.” Zhou Qin was equally solemn. She knelt respectfully, raising both hands, her head slightly bowed, her gaze fixed on the surface of Li Yundong’s shoes.

She said, “Please, Master, bestow the treasure!” Li Yundong took out the Cold and Glamorous Serrated Vajra Wheel from his personal Seven-Colored Brocade Pouch and placed it in her hand, saying, “This was the personal Dharma Artifact of Ye Yu from the Fox Zen Sect, originally named the Cold and Glamorous Serrated Vajra Wheel. I am now renaming it Blazing Moon and giving it to you, hoping you use it to sever all thorns and difficulties on your cultivation path!” Zhou Qin accepted it respectfully and placed it aside.

Li Yundong then took out a completely fire-red soft whip from the pouch, stating in a deep voice, “Zhou Qin, receive the treasure!” Zhou Qin raised both hands again and respectfully said, “Please, Master, bestow the treasure!” Li Yundong stated gravely, “This was the original personal Dharma Artifact of Lü Fengping from the Yin-Yang Sect of Mount Wuhua. Although I do not know its original name, I am renaming it the Fire God Whip today, hoping it will flourish in your hands!” Zhou Qin respectfully received the Fire God Whip and placed it beside her.

At this moment, Ruan Hongling, who had been watching the scene, suddenly whispered to Ziyuan, “Senior Sister Ziyuan, this is the first time I’ve noticed that Li Yundong actually looks quite capable when he gets serious!” Ziyuan stared fixedly at Li Yundong, replying without turning her head, a faint smile on her lips, “Wasn’t he capable when he was on Tianlong Mountain?” Ruan Hongling snorted, “That fellow is always joking around, never serious. I only remember him playing tricks on me; who remembers things from so long ago?” Watching Li Yundong solemnly hand artifacts one by one to Zhou Qin, Ziyuan’s gaze suddenly grew distant, as if she were looking past the current scene into distant memories.

She murmured almost dreamily, “But I remember…” Li Yundong’s voice, in Ziyuan’s ears, suddenly sounded vast and distant, as if traveling from a faraway place. That stern and solemn voice instantly reminded her of her Master.

It was as if that gentle-as-jade figure was hovering before her eyes, as if that voice as mild as flowing water was streaming beside her ear. Just as Ziyuan was drifting off in contemplation, Ruan Hongling suddenly stretched out her hand and waved it vigorously in front of her face, whispering, “Hey, Senior Sister Ziyuan, what’s wrong with you?” Ziyuan snapped back to reality as if waking from a dream.

The vague silhouette deep in her memory vanished, replaced by Li Yundong’s figure. A strong sense of bewilderment and confusion filled Ziyuan’s eyes.

She involuntarily compared her Master with the young man before her. In her memory, her Master was like clouds and wind, effortless and natural; she had never seen him lose his temper.

He was always so calm and composed, his eyes seeming to see through the world, to see through everything. But this young man—at times like fire, acting on impulse; at others, like a mountain, profound and inscrutable.

Ziyuan mused, and lightly whispered without realizing it, “These are clearly two completely different people, so why do I always feel they are so similar?” Ruan Hongling sighed internally upon hearing this. She knew her Senior Sister carried a deep imprint due to her extreme adoration and admiration for her Master; consequently, she imitated her Master in everything, constantly seeking his shadow and footsteps.

“Senior Sister Ziyuan always held an inexplicable affection for Master before, but now she clearly loves this fellow, yet refuses to admit it herself. Alas, when will this thin veil ever be pierced?” Ruan Hongling thought with a troubled frown.

Ruan Hongling knew that once Ziyuan indulged in tracing her Master’s path again, she would revert to that ethereal fairy detached from mortal affairs. That appearance alone would be tolerable, but what if her Senior Sister Ziyuan, like her Master, abandoned everything and ascended to immortality?

What would she do then? 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, “Senior Sister Ziyuan, why does Li Yundong insist on being the Sect Master of the Fox Zen Sect? If he started his own sect, he could easily become a Grand Master in his time!” Ziyuan's mind gradually cleared.

She sighed lightly. “Given Li Yundong’s talent, ability, and opportunities, if he founded his own school, he would surely become a Grand Master!” “A Grand Master?

That’s an exaggeration, isn’t it?” Although Ruan Hongling inwardly held some reservations, she didn’t argue. As the two spoke softly, Li Yundong took out a third Dharma Artifact from his pouch.

Upon seeing it, the crowd gasped in unison: “The Six Harmonies Sword!” Ruan Hongling also gaped, whispering, “No way, is he giving the Six Harmonies Sword to Zhou Qin too? Isn’t he afraid someone will try to kill her and seize the treasure?” Ziyuan smiled faintly, offering no comment.

Li Yundong held the Six Harmonies Sword with both hands and said, “Zhou Qin, receive the treasure!” Zhou Qin raised both hands again and said, “Please, Master, bestow the treasure!” Li Yundong stated, “This was the personal Dharma Artifact of Yan Fang from the Spirit Palace Branch of the Orthodox Unity Sect. I now pass it to you.

I hope you use it wisely in the future!” Zhou Qin respectfully accepted the Six Harmonies Sword. At this point, the little foxes of the Fox Zen Sect were so envious their eyes nearly turned red like rabbit eyes.

For an ordinary cultivator to possess even one Dharma Artifact was a blessing; Zhou Qin received three in one go, and every one was an immensely powerful cultivation artifact! This was simply too much!

Was being Li Yundong’s disciple this lucrative? Li Yundong pretended not to notice the little foxes’ shining eyes.

After bestowing the artifacts, he was about to speak when he heard a doorbell ring at the entrance. Li Yundong looked up, and Su Chan cleverly announced, “I’ll check!” Saying this, she scampered to the door, pulled it open, peered out, and then turned back to shout loudly to Li Yundong, “Yundong!

It’s a woman looking for you!” Li Yundong was startled, thinking: A woman? Who?

Who knows I’m staying here?