Li Yundong and the others returned home, and the little foxes couldn't help but rejoice the moment they crossed the threshold.

"We're finally back…" Su Chan sighed with feeling, glancing around the familiar surroundings. She felt as if the Lotus Gathering, which had only lasted a single day, had stretched out to feel like a whole century.

Li Yundong handed Zhou Qin, whom he carried on his back, over to Ruan Hongling, instructing her to help tend to the injuries. He then immediately set about making preparations to rescue Ao Wushuang.

This Lotus Gathering had been fraught with twists and turns. Although fraught with danger and unforeseen complications, Li Yundong had managed to turn the tide through his extraordinarily formidable cultivation and power. Moreover, Cao Yi had finally returned, and Yan Fang had been dragged out of the Fox Zen Sect. Although they were ultimately freed, their power had waned by half, making them unlikely to pose a significant threat in the short term.

Most importantly, Li Yundong had brought Ao Wushuang back—news that was nothing short of exhilarating for everyone in the Fox Zen Sect.

Both Su Chan and the little foxes had watched Li Yundong battle formidable foes at the Lotus Gathering, wishing desperately they could jump in to help, but their cultivation levels were far too low; going up would not only be unhelpful but would also make them a liability. In fact, apart from Li Yundong, the Fox Zen Sect didn't possess a single competent fighter, a fact that, if spoken aloud, would be absolutely laughable.

But Ao Wushuang had established her fame early on; her fighting prowess was immense, and her strength ferocious. She had once been hailed as the foremost expert of the Fox Zen Sect, and her liberation would undoubtedly elevate the sect's overall strength.

Li Yundong casually drew his Six Harmonies Sword, preparing to cleave through the Glazed Heaven Emperor Bell. However, just as he was about to strike, he noticed Zi Yuan beside him frowning deeply, her eyes distant in thought. He paused and asked, "Zi Yuan, what is it? Is something amiss?"

Zi Yuan's delicate eyebrows were tightly knitted together. She opened her mouth as if to speak, but swallowed her words.

Seeing her hesitation, Li Yundong smiled. "Just say whatever is on your mind. Is there anything we need to keep secret from each other?"

Zi Yuan offered a faint smile. "It's nothing much, really. I was just thinking… about what Senior Aunt Yan Fang said."

Li Yundong paused for a moment, then quickly laughed again. "You're worried that we might be thinking about resurrecting the Celestial Mystery Black Fox, aren't you?"

Zi Yuan looked at Li Yundong, smiled, and swiftly glanced at Su Chan, Cao Yi, and the others from the Fox Zen Sect. "I believe you are not that sort of person, but…"

Su Chan, sharp and perceptive, immediately interjected, "Sister Zi Yuan, I am perfectly happy just being with Yundong. I will do whatever he does, and I won't do anything he tells me not to…" As she spoke, she cheekily took Li Yundong's hand and pouted charmingly, "Isn't that right, Sect Master?"

Li Yundong was speechless with amusement, feigning anger with a stern face. "I told you not to cause trouble, did you listen?"

Su Chan’s face immediately fell. She lowered her head, fiddling with the corner of her robe, and mumbled softly, "I didn't mean to…"

Cao Yi, standing nearby, spoke with gravity. "True Person Zi Yuan, please rest assured. The Celestial Mystery Black Fox died over twelve hundred years ago. Never mind wanting to resurrect her, even if one wished to, where would one find her spirit? Furthermore, times have changed. What good would reviving the Celestial Mystery Black Fox do now? Our Fox Zen Sect has been marginalized for a millennium. Now that Li Yundong is the new Sect Master, it is the perfect time to wipe the slate clean and rebuild the sect’s reputation. How could we possibly commit such an act that defies heaven's will?"

Zi Yuan smiled faintly. "Then I was worrying needlessly…"

Seeing that Zi Yuan was no longer dwelling on the matter, Su Chan, unwilling to let a rift form between them over the Celestial Mystery Black Fox, turned to Li Yundong. "Hurry up and save my master! I miss her terribly!"

Cao Yi of the Fox Zen Sect felt relieved now that Zi Yuan had dropped the subject, and she focused her attention entirely on Li Yundong.

Only Ruan Hongling, standing beside them, understood her senior sister best. If Zi Yuan held a question or a lingering doubt in her heart, she would never rest until it was fully resolved and clarified; Cao Yi’s words alone would not suffice to dispel her unease.

Ruan Hongling subtly reached out and tugged at Zi Yuan’s hem, giving her a meaningful look. Zi Yuan glanced at her, then subtly shook her head, signaling for Ruan Hongling to remain silent and to discuss it later when they were alone.

Ruan Hongling understood and nodded, turning her gaze back to Li Yundong.

Li Yundong tossed the Glazed Heaven Emperor Bell in front of him, then instantly directed the Six Harmonies Sword to cleave down upon it.

With a clang, the Glazed Heaven Emperor Bell vibrated violently, subsequently emitting waves of purple light. Faint silhouettes began to materialize upon its surface, one after another.

Su Chan, sharp-eyed, pointed at one and exclaimed with delight, "That’s Master!"

The little foxes chimed in noisily, "Ah, we see Junior Aunt!"

"Thank goodness, I hope she’s alright!"

"But, if that’s Junior Aunt, then who are all those other people?"

The little foxes suddenly froze, exchanging bewildered glances. Zi Yuan’s brow also suddenly furrowed, and she rapidly commanded, "Li Yundong, stop!"

But her warning came too late. The Six Harmonies Sword struck again with a resounding dang, causing the Glazed Heaven Emperor Bell to shake violently. With a sharp crack, a fissure split open from the top.

In an instant, an intense, blinding seven-colored light erupted from within, followed immediately by streaks of azure light shooting out in all directions like countless meteors.

In a flash, the living room seemed to be swept by a typhoon, powerful enough to nearly overturn the coffee table.

Su Chan and the others watched, dumbfounded, buffeted until they were thrown off balance.

Li Yundong's true essence was overwhelmingly potent; this tempest, which seemed overwhelming to others, felt to him like nothing more than a gentle breeze against his face. He too widened his eyes in alarm, thinking inwardly: Not good! The other individuals sealed inside the Glazed Heaven Emperor Bell have also been released! Damn it, I was so focused on freeing Ao Wushuang, how could I forget this?

Li Yundong instantly summoned the Finger-Burning Alms Bowl from his hand, preparing to use it to recapture the escaping figures. But just as his finger moved to flick it, he suddenly remembered—what if he sucked Ao Wushuang into the Finger-Burning Alms Bowl as well?

The Finger-Burning Alms Bowl was not like the Glazed Heaven Emperor Bell, which was a sealing artifact. It specialized in dealing with demons and malevolent spirits, including Ao Wushuang. This bowl was a massive refining furnace; once caught inside, one was immediately refined and transcended, leaving not even dross behind, with no chance for reincarnation!

This moment of hesitation allowed all the scattered lights from the Glazed Heaven Emperor Bell to vanish completely. A moment later, the bell’s surrounding purple halo slowly faded, and with a dull thud, it fell to the ground.

Li Yundong could only offer a wry, internal chuckle: Well, there it is. The personal artifact of the great cultivator Ye Fashen from the Tang Xuanzong era is now destroyed! And who knows what formidable beings were sealed inside this artifact?

Zi Yuan couldn't help but widen her eyes. Instinctively, she wanted to shout at Li Yundong to use the Finger-Burning Alms Bowl, but when she saw him produce it and prepare to flick it, she held back again. Zi Yuan’s mind turned swiftly, and she instantly understood Li Yundong’s apprehension. She involuntarily stamped her foot in frustration: Blast it! We released Ao Wushuang, but we also released so many sealed cultivators. Who knows how many good people and how many villains are among them?

Soon, Su Chan, Ruan Hongling, and the others grasped the gravity of the situation. The living room fell silent, and they stared at Li Yundong, completely unsure of what to do next.

The little foxes looked at one another, the joy of Ao Wushuang’s release instantly evaporating.

Su Chan’s eyes were wide open, but then she suddenly burst into laughter.

Li Yundong glared at her. "What are you laughing at?"

Su Chan giggled, "So Yundong makes mistakes too! I thought only I did!"

At that, the little foxes also started to chuckle.

Li Yundong was torn between laughter and tears, shaking his head helplessly. "This truly was a case of a single slip in a hundred precautions! I never expected this situation to arise."

Zi Yuan also managed a wry smile. "Even the wisest can overlook things; this is unavoidable. But where is Ao Wushuang? We haven't seen her anywhere."

Everyone immediately began searching everywhere. As they looked around expectantly, they heard a faint, lingering sigh nearby. A woman of breathtaking beauty, dressed in a deep crimson palace gown, materialized before them.

Su Chan’s eyes widened, and sheer ecstasy slowly spread across her face. She stared blankly at the woman for a moment, then suddenly burst into loud tears, rushing into the woman's embrace and crying out, "Master!"

Li Yundong watched Ao Wushuang stand gracefully. Her dark hair cascaded down like dark clouds; even after being sealed for so long, upon release, she had lost none of her enchanting beauty, radiating an aura of cold arrogance.

Ao Wushuang gently held Su Chan, stroking her hair lightly. She quickly surveyed her surroundings. When she realized she was in a modern, fully furnished home, and that everyone from the Fox Zen Sect was present, she couldn't help but pause in astonishment. But then she saw Zi Yuan and Ruan Hongling standing nearby, appearing to be in comfortable rapport with the others, which brought an expression of genuine surprise to her face.

However, when Ao Wushuang’s gaze settled on Li Yundong, a sharp glint flashed in her eyes. She gasped, her mouth falling open in shock. She stepped forward two paces, testing the air tentatively, "You… you are!"

Li Yundong smiled faintly. "Senior Ao Wushuang, we meet again!"

In that instant, Ao Wushuang had almost mistaken the vibrant, statuesque young man before her—who exuded an air of refined composure befitting a grand master—for Wang Yuanshan. But when she heard Li Yundong’s voice, she snapped back to reality, sucking in a sharp breath. She scrutinized him from head to toe, exclaiming in disbelief, "In just a few months, your cultivation has advanced to this extent!? This… this is too outrageous!"