Li Yundong smiled without speaking. He recalled a time when he was completely helpless when subdued by Ao Wushuang, but now... just holding the Burning Finger Bowl was enough to completely suppress her, let alone possessing the Manifested King Dharmakaya, the ultimate nemesis to all demons and monsters under heaven.

Ao Wushuang sized up Li Yundong, her eyes flashing with sharp light. She nodded to herself repeatedly, murmuring, "Not bad, just as I expected. Chan'er, you've found a good partner!"

Su Chan linked her arms through Li Yundong’s, her face beaming with pride, her small face held high. She said cheerfully, "Of course!"

Li Yundong smiled and said, "Senior Ao Wushuang, how were things inside the Li Tian Pan Huang Bell while you were sealed? Chan'er mentioned you were injured before being sealed; are you alright?"

Ao Wushuang gave a low laugh. "If the Eldest Senior Sister hadn't used the Li Tian Pan Huang Bell to seal me, I might very well have died, my soul completely drained by the Luo Mu Soul-Separating Pin. But the fact that she used the Li Tian Pan Huang Bell to seal me actually saved my life. Don't worry, if the Luo Mu Soul-Separating Pin isn't absorbing souls, this level of injury is nothing."

Su Chan immediately rushed forward, eager to present her achievements to Ao Wushuang. "Master, Master, I have so much to tell you! First, the one who ambushed you wasn't Eldest Martial Uncle Mo Ashi, but Yan Fang. Second, Yundong is now the Sect Master of our Fox Zen Sect! Third, Yundong has severely damaged Yan Fang's Yang Spirit; her power has already dropped by half, so she's no longer a threat to us."

Any one of these three pieces of news astonished Yan Fang. Her gaze fixed intently on Li Yundong, and she smiled faintly. "It seems this is going to be a long story."

Li Yundong also laughed. "It’s a good time for me to prepare dinner. We can talk while we eat."

The little foxes cheered instantly upon hearing this. "The Sect Master is cooking! Long live! We’re going to have delicious food!"

Ao Wushuang watched the little foxes of the Fox Zen Sect show such deep affection and support for Li Yundong, their closeness stemming from the heart. They were clearly fond of this Sect Master, and their excitement at hearing him cook seemed even greater than their relief at seeing her freed. She couldn't help but become more curious, muttering to herself: What sort of magic does this Li Yundong possess?

Su Chan’s eyes darted around, as if she understood what her master was thinking. She said with a grin, "Master, are you wondering why Yundong is so popular?"

Ao Wushuang feigned anger and glared at her. "Always so clever, you know everything! Hurry up and tell me!"

Su Chan leaned in mysteriously toward Ao Wushuang’s ear and whispered, "Because his cooking is incredibly delicious! Yours is too hard to eat! No, that’s not right, you can’t cook at all! You only ever bought me hard, cold flatbreads!" With that, the little girl giggled and ran off.

Ao Wushuang’s delicate eyebrows shot up instantly. "Wicked disciple, say that again! You dare bicker with me the moment I’m free?"

Su Chan burst out laughing, hiding behind Li Yundong while making faces at Ao Wushuang.

Ao Wushuang laughed in mock anger. Cao Yi and the injured Liu Yuehong also walked over, taking Ao Wushuang’s hands, unable to help but smile. "Junior Sister, you’re finally free! We were worried sick about you!"

Ao Wushuang, outwardly cold but warm-hearted, felt a wave of warmth in her chest. She took Cao Yi and Liu Yuehong’s hands too and laughed, "Senior Sisters, why are there only two of you? Where are the others? And the Sect Master Martial Uncle?"

If she hadn't asked, Liu Yuehong might not have started crying. She choked out, "Eldest Senior Sister Ao Wushuang, Second Martial Brother Gu Feng, Third Senior Sister Zhuang Yating, Fifth Junior Sister Changsun Hong, Seventh Junior Sister Ye Yu... they... they have all passed into immortality!"

Ao Wushuang was greatly shocked. "Ah? They—they are all dead? Then... then what about the Sect Master Martial Uncle? How is he? He was so powerful; he shouldn't have..."

Liu Yuehong wept, "The Sect Master was ambushed by Yan Fang and then besieged by cultivators from various sects; he also passed into immortality in the end!"

Ao Wushuang felt as if struck by lightning. Her body trembled violently, and she stood motionless for a long moment.

Cao Yi sighed beside her and said to Ao Wushuang, "If Li Yundong hadn't rushed over then, I fear the Fox Zen Sect would have met disaster by now."

Seeing their somber mood, Li Yundong intervened. "Let's not dwell on the past. Let’s talk about happy things. What does everyone want for dinner tonight? If you have requests, say them quickly!"

Su Chan played along cheerfully, "Yundong, everything you make is delicious. We’ll eat whatever you make."

The little foxes chimed in eagerly, "Yes, Sect Master, please get the food ready quickly! We’ve been at the Lotus Gathering Convention all day, and besides tea, we haven't eaten anything! Our stomachs are practically sticking to our backs!"

Li Yundong smiled. "I need you to order so I know what to cook."

Liu Yuehong stopped crying and managed a smile. "Sect Master, just make whatever you like."

Li Yundong rolled up his sleeves and declared loudly, "Alright then, today I shall cook the Four Famous Dishes of the Fox Zen Sect!"

Upon hearing this, everyone exclaimed in unison, "No!"

Li Yundong laughed heartily. "Didn’t you just say you’d eat whatever I make?"

Su Chan scolded him playfully, "You’re terrible, that one doesn't count!"

Ao Wushuang looked on curiously. "The Lotus Gathering Convention was held? What are the Four Famous Dishes of the Fox Zen Sect? Why have we never heard of them?"

Su Chan cheerfully pulled Ao Wushuang aside to sit down and said, "Master, let me tell you slowly." Then, starting from when Ao Wushuang was sealed by Yan Fang, her escape down the mountain, and Li Yundong’s battle against the major sects on Tianlong Mountain, she recounted everything in a long, flowing narrative. She used so many exaggerated and flattering words that Li Yundong, overhearing the description of his own cultivation level, flushed slightly and quickly retreated into the kitchen.

Seeing the joyous atmosphere enveloping the entire Fox Zen Sect, Ruan Hongling couldn't help but glance over at Ziyuan. She saw Ziyuan still keeping her head down, her brow tightly furrowed, her expression grave, as if worried about something. Ruan Hongling quietly asked, "Senior Sister Ziyuan, what are you thinking about?"

Ziyuan said in a deep voice, "I’m thinking... about who exactly is locked inside that Li Tian Pan Huang Bell."

Ruan Hongling smiled. "We can just ask Ao Wushuang later, can't we?"

Ziyuan nodded. She felt a faint sense of unease in her heart, but given the rare joyous and lively mood of the Fox Zen Sect right now, she suppressed the thought so as not to spoil the ambiance.

When Li Yundong had arranged a table full of dishes, the group sat down. Even Zhou Qin was helped up by Li Yundong and seated near the table.

Li Yundong was voted to sit at the head position. Ziyuan sat in the first seat to his left, followed in order by Ruan Hongling, Zhou Qin, and the little foxes. On the other side sat Ao Wushuang, Cao Yi, Liu Yuehong, along with Su Chan, Ling Yue, and the others.

Seeing everyone gathered together, bringing a liveliness the Fox Zen Sect hadn't experienced in a long time, Li Yundong couldn't help but smile. "Although we didn't win the Immortal Pen at the Lotus Gathering Convention, in my opinion, regaining Senior Ao Wushuang is far superior to obtaining ten excellent magic treasures!"

The crowd cheered in agreement. The table instantly became a vibrant scene of beautiful women—from Ao Wushuang to Ziyuan, from Su Chan to the little foxes—each one a vision of unparalleled beauty. This table was truly a gathering of blooming flowers, where every renowned beauty vied for attention.

In the midst of the lively dinner, Ao Wushuang noticed Ziyuan, seated across from her, frowning as if deep in thought. She couldn't help but ask with a smile, "Ziyuan, what are you thinking about?"

Having heard the events of the past few days from Su Chan, Ao Wushuang understood that without Ziyuan, the Fox Zen Sect might have been completely wiped out. Furthermore, Ziyuan was one of the closest people to Wang Yuanshan, so out of love for the person she cared about, her opinion of Ziyuan had improved considerably.

Ziyuan smiled faintly and said, "Senior Ao Wushuang, I have a question I’d like to ask you."

Ao Wushuang smiled gently. "Please, ask away."

Ziyuan asked, "Senior, do you know who else was sealed inside the Li Tian Pan Huang Bell?"

Ao Wushuang was momentarily stunned and couldn't help but frown. "What? Were there others released?"

Seeing that the topic had been broached, Li Yundong couldn't help but clear his throat and offer a wry smile. "This is my fault. If I hadn't been so reckless, I wouldn't have released anyone else..."

Ao Wushuang glanced at Li Yundong, knowing he was trying to save her face. The Li Tian Pan Huang Bell was Ye Fashan’s personal magic treasure, and Ye Fashan was one of the great cultivators from the Tianbao era. His artifact was no joke. How could one split it open without releasing the sealed individuals? But splitting it naturally meant the sealed people would also escape.

Ao Wushuang thought to herself: Chan'er truly has excellent judgment. This Li Yundong, despite achieving such high cultivation now, still deigns to cook for her and speaks with such consideration and attention to detail. Very good, very good!

Ao Wushuang said seriously, "Sect Master, you don't need to make excuses for me. Everything happened because of me. If I hadn't disbelieved Chan'er back then, I wouldn't have been ambushed by Yan Fang, and none of these subsequent events would have occurred. Sect Master, rest assured, I will take responsibility for the entire matter."

Seeing Ao Wushuang blaming herself, Su Chan immediately grew anxious and said, "No, it’s because I didn't explain things clearly, Master, it’s not your fault!"

Ao Wushuang smiled and patted Su Chan's head. "What has it to do with you, silly girl."

Zhou Qin, who had been silent until now, suddenly laughed. "But I don't think that's right. If Senior Ao Wushuang hadn't been captured, Li Yundong wouldn't have gone to Tianlong Mountain, and none of the subsequent events would have happened. How could we have today's Li Wudi?"

Everyone laughed, and Ziyuan also offered a gentle smile. "This is the cycle of karma."

Ao Wushuang smiled, returning to the main point. She said, "When Yan Fang sealed me, all six senses were almost completely shut down. I felt as if I’d been encased in concrete. By the time I could breathe again, I was already here. So..." She smiled at Ziyuan, "...I truly don't know who was sealed inside the Li Tian Pan Huang Bell."

Seeing Ziyuan’s worried expression, Li Yundong couldn't help but say, "Ziyuan, don't overthink it. Even if some demons and monsters were released, I can go capture them again."

Ziyuan bit her lip, looking as if she wanted to speak but hesitated. Ao Wushuang noticed this and said, "Ziyuan, whatever you have to say, just say it directly."

Ziyuan considered for a moment, glanced at Li Yundong, and whispered, "That great calamity Yan Fang spoke of... could it be related to this?"

At this sentence, everyone at the table froze. The dining hall fell into a profound silence.

Li Yundong’s heart lurched, and he thought grimly: If the so-called great calamity in the cultivation world... is because I released the unknown good or evil cultivators sealed within the Li Tian Pan Huang Bell, then... that would be too tragic! E