Druid Fairy

Chapter 117 Innate Martial Physique, Pills Exhausted
"Not bad, not bad. It's even better than the Qi-restoring Pill and the Spirit-nourishing Pill."

Li Pingcan savored the feeling. In just a few minutes, after eating a divine strawberry, not only was his physical fatigue swept away and he felt full of energy, but even his internal magic power was restored to its peak state.

Whether it's a long journey, a prolonged battle, or daily training, it provides unparalleled endurance. Having it is like carrying a portable healing fountain with you at all times.

The only downside is that it only lasts for 24 hours.

After testing the battery life skill, Li Pingcan turned his attention to [Thunder Wave].

To avoid causing unnecessary trouble, he deliberately came to a secluded and deserted rocky forest behind the mountain.

The area is full of jagged rocks and sparse vegetation, making it perfect for testing the power of spells.

He took a deep breath and circulated the natural magical power within his body along a specific path. A violent and frenzied energy gathered within him, causing the air around him to tremble slightly.

"Thunder Wave!"

With a low shout, a visible, ring-shaped sonic boom shockwave suddenly spread outwards from his body!
"Boom!"

A flash of purple lightning followed by a deafening explosion. The shockwave compressed the air violently, instantly blasting away rubble and dead leaves from the ground.

The rocks closest to him, about half a person's height, were cracked under the impact of the shockwave, making a cracking sound as they were pushed against the force of the shockwave.

Within a radius of two zhang (about six meters) around him, any object within it was forcibly pushed outward by an irresistible force, creating a brief vacuum space.

"Such strong control!" A glint flashed in Li Pingcan's eyes.

This move not only deals considerable damage, but more importantly, it has a powerful knockback and interrupt effect. It's a godsend when you're surrounded or need to create distance.

Moreover, lightning-attribute skills are naturally effective against ghosts and evil spirits, and when used well, they can be powerful area-of-effect attacks.

…………

Li Ping'an's residence in Yunshui County.

Am I pregnant?

Mu Wanqiu subconsciously touched her abdomen, a look of joy on her face.

Since marrying Li Ping'an, she has been blessed with a considerate husband, supportive family, and doting parents-in-law.

Meanwhile, those elder sisters who married into other families not only had to worry about household affairs, but also had to take concubines and raise children for their husbands... Without comparison, there is no harm; my life is much more comfortable.

The only worry is that her daughter, Li Nianhe, is too quiet and physically weaker than other children her age. She looks like she could be blown away by a gust of wind, which is heartbreaking to see.

Now that she has been diagnosed with another pregnancy, this is a wonderful thing, and it will also give her daughter someone to accompany and rely on in the future.

Upon learning that his wife was pregnant, Li Ping'an was overjoyed. He held Mu Wanqiu's hand and said, "Wanqiu, when you're further along in your pregnancy, let's send Nianhe to stay at the old house for a while."

Mu Wanqiu was taken aback upon hearing this, her delicate brows furrowed slightly, and her face revealed obvious displeasure and worry.

“Husband, why send Nianhe away? She is already frail and shy. I am really worried about her leaving us.”

Her voice remained gentle, but the resistance in her tone was obvious. A mother's heart is connected to her daughter's; how could she bear to send her frail daughter elsewhere?

Li Ping'an patiently explained, "It's precisely because she's weak that I wanted to send her back to the old house. Haven't you noticed? Every time Nianhe goes back to the old house, she's in much better spirits and becomes more lively, and she only stays for a few days."

Mu Wanqiu fell silent; she knew her husband was telling the truth.

Every time they return to the Li family's old house in Peach Blossom Village, the daughter feels inexplicably calm and comfortable, and is less prone to coughing.

But rationally speaking, she still found it difficult to accept emotionally.

Seeing his wife remain silent, Li Ping'an advised, "Now that you are pregnant, you need to rest even more. It will be better for Nianhe to stay at the old house, where her parents, elder brother and sister-in-law will take care of her, and Yuanhu and Yuanxi will play with her. This will only be better for her than if she stayed with us. Let's leave it at that."

He actually had a little ulterior motive: he didn't want his daughter to be distant from the Li family.

Seeing her husband's attitude, Mu Wanqiu knew there was no way to change things, so she could only sigh inwardly and nod reluctantly.

A few days later, Li Nianhe was sent to the old house in Peach Blossom Village.

The little girl was completely separated from her parents for the first time, her eyes filled with unease, and she clung tightly to the hem of her aunt Jiang Ling'er's clothes.

"Nianhe, don't be afraid." Jiang Ling'er gently patted her head.

Just then, a soft, sweet voice came from the cradle.

Li Nian leaned forward curiously and met a pair of clear, dark eyes, like black gemstones. That was her cousin, Li Mengze.

Xiao Mengze seemed very interested in the new young lady, and grinned with his toothless little mouth, giving her a pure smile as if to say hello.

For some reason, seeing that smile miraculously dispelled most of the unease in Li Nianhe's heart. She carefully reached out her finger and gently touched Li Mengze's small hand.

"Little brother..." she called softly.

"Yay!" Li Mengze responded cheerfully.

Li Yuanhu looked at his cousin and patted his chest boldly, "Nianhe, don't be afraid! I'll protect you from now on! Anyone who dares to bully you, I'll beat them to a pulp!"

As he spoke, he swung his fist, which made Li Nian burst out laughing.

…………

Nourished by both the Druid's dojo and the Spirit Gathering Array, the natural energy of the old house has become increasingly abundant.

Li Nianhe's health improved day by day, and her pale face gradually regained a rosy hue. She also became much more cheerful.

When Mu Wanqiu saw her daughter again, she could hardly believe her eyes. The scenario she had imagined—that her daughter would suffer from acclimatization problems—did not happen.

Li Nianhe was seen chasing a butterfly, her little legs flaring, giggling. A healthy blush graced her face, and her previously timid eyes had brightened considerably. Her nephew, Li Yuanhu, stood protectively beside her, afraid she might fall.

Inside the pavilion, Li Yuanxi was still learning to crawl, while Li Mengze waved his little hand in the direction of Li Nianhe.

The sunlight shone on the four children, creating a warm and picturesque scene.

"Nianhe..." Mu Wanqiu called out tentatively.

The little girl turned around, saw her mother, her eyes lit up, and she rushed over like a happy little bird, "Mom! You're here!"

Holding her daughter, who was now much heavier, in her arms and feeling the vibrant life emanating from her, Mu Wanqiu's eyes welled up with tears. The last trace of resentment she felt towards her husband vanished, replaced by admiration.

'As expected, my husband was right.'

…………

Life proceeded at a leisurely pace, and the younger generation of the Li family grew up healthily.

Seven-year-old Li Yuanhu was a little tyrant among his peers.

With his brute strength, he climbed trees to steal bird nests and went down to the river to catch fish and shrimp. He was practically the tyrant of Peach Blossom Village. Even teenagers would avoid him.

He always believed he was the chosen one, destined to be as majestic as his father. Perhaps he could even become a legendary immortal who could fly and traverse the heavens.

However, the spiritual root test not long ago was like a bucket of ice water poured over one's head.

No spiritual root.

These three words, like three mountains, instantly crushed Xiao Yuanhu's proud heart. His strength, which he was so proud of, became so laughable in the face of the words "fate to immortality".

An unprecedented sense of frustration welled up inside him, and the sympathetic looks from his fellow villagers seemed like mockery to him.

The smile on Li Yuanhu's face disappeared. He stopped running around like a troublemaker and started going to the back mountain every day to punch a huge, unlucky blue stone.

The weathered bluestone was soon covered with shallow dents he had punched with his little fists.

Li Pingcan saw his nephew's self-destructive behavior and felt both angry and amused.

This kid is just like his older brother when they were kids.

Not only are their personalities similar, but their martial arts are too. They possess a primal and boundless life essence and power within their bodies, and their vitality far surpasses that of ordinary people, making them extremely suitable for cultivating techniques to temper their physical bodies.

Although he lacked the spiritual roots for cultivating immortality, he could rely on his innate martial physique to cultivate specific body-tempering techniques, perhaps combining his natural blood and qi with the five elements of heaven and earth, and ultimately achieving enlightenment through martial arts.

Even if they fail to reach the path of immortality, they are still top-tier combat reserves below the Foundation Establishment stage.

"Hey, Tiger Cub, do you have a grudge against this rock? Are you planning to make a window or a door in it?" Li Pingcan said with a smile.

Li Yuanhu stopped what he was doing, head drooping, and said sullenly, "Third Uncle, don't make fun of me... Am I really useless?" "Who said you're useless?"

Li Pingcan sat down next to him, put his arm around his shoulder, and pointed to the pitted and uneven bluestone. "Look at this masterpiece of nature. In the entire Peach Blossom Village, besides your father, who else has this skill? You call this useless? You call this extraordinary talent!"

He paused, then changed the subject, "Tiger, your third uncle is asking you, what is a spiritual root?"

Li Yuanhu was taken aback for a moment, then honestly replied, "It is...it is something that can help one cultivate immortality."

"Half right."

Li Pingcan held up a finger and shook it. "A spiritual root, to put it simply, is like a bridge, allowing you to easily cross the river to absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. People with bridges can cross faster. But if we don't have a bridge, can't we cross the river?"

He patted Li Yuanhu's chest and said, "Can't we build our own boat? Can't we swim? If all else fails, we'll fill this river in! Then we can cross it however we want, even more impressive than those who cross the bridge!"

Li Yuanhu suddenly raised his head, a hint of confusion flashing in his eyes, but more so excitement aroused by his third uncle's "twisted logic".

"Uncle here has a wonderful treasure specially made for you, called the Five Elements Body Forging Technique."

Li Pingcan lowered his voice, "It doesn't require spiritual roots; it only trains your own body. Once you've mastered it, you can blow an elephant over with a single breath, and your body will be as hard as iron. Those immortal spells will feel like mere tickles to you. How about it, are you interested?"

"Have!"

A fierce fire instantly reignited in Li Yuanhu's eyes, like a drowning man grasping at the last straw—no, he grasped at his third uncle's great ship!

"Good lad, you have good taste!" Li Pingcan patted him on the back of the head with satisfaction. "But Uncle has to tell you the unpleasant truth upfront: our path is much harder and more tiring than their cultivation path. We can't skip a single day of practice. Are you scared?"

"Not afraid!"

Li Yuanhu puffed out his chest, his voice loud and firm, as if he had transformed back into that fearless little tyrant.

Li Pingcan smiled with satisfaction. He taught Li Yuanhu the first level of the "Five Elements Body Forging Technique," a unique mental cultivation method that combined the "Beast Form and Intent" with his insights from the Divine Martial Realm, in the most interesting way possible, like a storyteller.

This set of techniques doesn't have any fancy moves; the core is just one word: practice!

Learn to walk like a bear, and you'll grow as strong as a mountain; learn to pounce like a tiger, and your fists will be as powerful as thunder; learn to pick peaches like a monkey, and you'll be as agile as the wind; learn to breathe like a crane, and you'll have a long, steady breath, able to run all day without getting tired. Temper your will, and you'll achieve enlightenment through countless trials.

Furthermore, with the aid of the Li family martial arts school's secret qi and blood tonics, these qi and blood tonics can maximize the potential of Li Yuanhu's special physique, allowing his qi and blood to flow like a flood, providing a continuous source of power for body tempering.

Li Yuanhu was like a dry sponge that had fallen into water, frantically absorbing everything.

He displayed astonishing talent, even surpassing Sun Zheng from the martial arts school. He practiced the movements that others found utterly tedious with complete enthusiasm, finding immense joy in them.

…………

Three months later.

Li Yuanhu went to Yunshui County to find his father, who was so busy he was nowhere to be seen.

At this time, Li Yuanhu hadn't grown much taller, but he exuded a strong and sturdy aura.

He walked along the road with his back straight, like a young tiger poised to pounce, exuding power.

As the two reached the entrance of an alley, they heard a commotion. A burly man with a fierce face kicked over the old man's carrying pole, scattering scalding hot steamed buns all over the ground.

"You old fool, you don't know what's good for you! Your grandpa ate your pancake and you still dare to ask for money?" the man cursed viciously.

The old man pleaded tremblingly, while the surrounding people dared not speak out against him.

Li Yuanhu's face darkened as he looked at the burly thug, feeling a little uneasy. But his father's teachings—"A martial artist should uphold justice and serve the people"—resonated in his ears. He had also been told not to be reckless and to use his brain when fighting.

He rolled his eyes and figured it out.

He first deliberately made some noise to attract the man's attention.

The man saw that it was a seven or eight-year-old kid and spat disdainfully: "Where did this little bastard come from? Get lost, or I'll beat you up too!"

Li Yuanhu immediately put on a frightened expression, backed away repeatedly, and even let out an "Ah!" as if he was quite frightened.

As he backed away, he discreetly rubbed his hand against the mottled wall beside him, grabbing a handful of lime powder.

"I...I'll leave now, I'll leave now..."

He turned around as if to run away, and the man laughed and lowered his guard.

In that instant, Li Yuanhu turned around abruptly and threw the lime powder in his hand at the man's face!
Ouch! My eyes!

Caught off guard, the man was sprayed all over his face and couldn't see anything. He covered his eyes and screamed in pain.

In the blink of an eye, Li Yuanhu rushed forward, mimicking the agility of the ape play in the "Five Spirits Body Forging Technique," and suddenly leaped up, his small body drawing an arc in the air, delivering a powerful knee strike to the back of the man's knee!

"boom!"

With a muffled thud, the man curled up like a shrimp in pain. Li Yuanhu landed without stopping, using the momentum to knock the taller man to the ground, then straddled him and started punching the man's face, which was now indistinguishable from flour or lime, with his small fists!
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

Punch to the flesh!

The man was dumbfounded, unable to understand how this seemingly harmless child could be so strong.

He was pinned down by this kid and couldn't break free for a while. He was beaten black and blue, howling like a banshee.

The servants who were secretly following their "young master" were speechless. This man was too useless. He couldn't even beat a seven-year-old child.

The onlookers cheered and laughed at the man for pretending to be something he wasn't really capable of.

"Thank you, child..." The old man smiled and handed over a steamed bun. "It's hot and delicious."

Looking at the thugs he had beaten so badly they couldn't fight back, Li Yuanhu slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, finally loosened his clenched fists, took the steamed bun, his eyes shining, and a surge of heroic spirit welled up within him.

He remembered what his third uncle had said.

Who says you can't become strong without spiritual roots!
…………

A gentle night breeze blew, and the moonlight, like water, quietly spilled onto Listening to the Wind Cliff.

Li Pingcan sat cross-legged, surrounded by a mist of spiritual energy. With each breath, it formed long, pure dragons of spiritual energy that were drawn into his body.

With the upgraded Spirit Gathering Array and the double blessing of the Druid Dojo, the cultivation environment here is no less than that of the outer sect blessed lands of some sects.

"Ugh……"

With a soft sigh, he slowly opened his eyes, completely refining the medicinal power of the last pill. His cultivation at the mid-stage of the third level of Qi Refining also became more stable.

He looked at the empty jade bottle in his hand with a pang of regret; even a landlord's family doesn't have surplus grain.

"These pills don't last long at all!"

The Holy Lord's accumulated wealth over many years, including all those miraculous pills and elixirs, was almost entirely consumed in just two or three years under this intense cultivation.

The rest were either for healing or were pills of too low a grade to be of much use to him at his current level of cultivation.

"Sitting idle and eating away one's fortune is truly a wise saying."

Li Pingcan stood up, dusted himself off, and began to make plans in his mind.

The four essential elements of cultivation are wealth, companions, methods, and location. With "wealth" being paramount, there's absolutely no room for pretense. Without the aid of elixirs, relying solely on meditation and breathing exercises would slow cultivation by at least three or four times; he simply didn't have that much time to waste.

"It seems it's time to make a trip to that place."

In his mind, the information about the "ghost market" located in the mountains south of Yunshui County, which provided a trading platform for independent cultivators, came to mind.

…………

The night is dark and windy.

Li Pingcan once again used the "Tendon and Bone Transformation" technique, transforming himself into an ordinary-looking, gloomy, and inconspicuous middle-aged rogue cultivator.

He sat on the back of the golden eagle Xiaofei and skillfully made his way to the mountain where the transaction took place.

This place is deserted during the day, and at night, it is even more eerie with gusts of wind and flickering will-o'-the-wisps, so even those who are on a caravan dare not approach it.

Li Pingcan, relying on the druid's keen perception of the natural environment, meandered around and finally stopped in front of a seemingly ordinary, solitary grave.

(End of this chapter)