Druid Fairy

Chapter 119 Five Elements Hall

Having just encountered human rogue cultivators for the first time, Li Pingcan proceeded with extreme caution on his return journey.

He circled around several times, making sure he had completely severed the tracking talismans following him, before quietly returning to his spiritual mountain cave.

I first checked my financial situation.

The thousands of spirit stones seized from the Holy Lord were used to purchase pills and seeds, with over four hundred low-grade spirit stones spent on them. Later, the robe was sold for twenty mid-grade spirit stones.

If these spirit stones were exchanged for pills, without being frugal, they would only last for three or four years of pill-making cultivation. Fortunately, there were still plenty of spiritual materials left, such as star iron and earth core fire jade. These could not only be used as materials for refining arrays, but also as hard currency for bartering.

As for the two cultivators who had undergone tribulation, they emptied their spirit stone bags, making a clattering sound, and a few pills and a small pile of spirit stones and crystals appeared on the ground.

"Sigh, these days, life is really tough for independent cultivators."

He didn't even have a storage bag, he was in a terrible state, not even as rich as the demonic cultivators.

"Why bother with such a dead-end job as robbery?"

After this battle, he finally understood that robbing poor people would never make him rich. The life of a rogue cultivator can be summed up in one word: difficult!

Not only do they have to be constantly on guard against being "double-crossed" by other poor people, but the competition is at its most intense.

"It seems that we still have to follow the path of sustainable development."

Li Pingcan was filled with emotion, and felt even more how precious his small plot of land and the Emerald Dreamland were.

If you're hoping to rob and plunder, when will you ever accumulate enough resources to break through to the fourth level of Qi Refining?

After carefully sorting and storing the spoils, he solemnly took out the mysterious black seed and planted it in a spiritual field next to the mulberry tree.

Because the seed's energy was weak, Li Pingcan also used the blessing of nature's divine grace, hoping for its germination and growth.

…………

The clouds in the sky drifted slowly.

Li Pingcan once again entered into a regular life of quiet meditation.

In the evenings, he meditates and cultivates his Qi, improving his proficiency in Divine Berry Technique and Thunder Wave. During the day, he strolls back to his old house to enjoy family time.

Now, teasing his little ones has become his greatest pleasure outside of his cultivation.

That afternoon, he had just returned home when he heard a series of childish shouts of "Hehehaha" coming from the training ground in the backyard.

Li Yuanhu was shirtless, waving his small fists at a wooden stake thicker than his waist, making loud "bang bang" sounds.

"Third Uncle! Look at my 'Tiger Descending the Mountain' move!"

When Li Yuanhu saw Li Pingcan arrive, his eyes lit up. He shouted and lunged forward, his fist slamming solidly into the wooden stake, sending splinters flying everywhere.

"Not bad, not bad, you have the style of your father back in the day."

Li Pingcan walked over with a smile, "It's just that your butt is sticking out a bit too high, making your lower body unstable. If you were a tiger, you would have to flip over first."

"No way!" Li Yuanhu blushed and puffed out his chest defiantly. "Third Uncle, don't just talk the talk, let's spar a bit!"

"Okay."

Li Pingcan was delighted. Ever since this little guy started practicing the "Five Elements Body Forging Technique," his strength had increased, and his confidence had also swelled considerably. It was time to teach him a lesson.

He casually broke off a willow twig and beckoned to Li Yuanhu with his finger: "Come on, I'll give you three moves."

"Take this!" Li Yuanhu couldn't take it anymore. He roared and charged forward with his short legs. He unleashed a set of Tiger-style Fist techniques he had learned from the "Five Elements Body Forging Techniques," which was powerful and had a truly fierce aura.

However, in Li Pingcan's eyes, the little tiger's attack was full of flaws.

His footwork was precise, his figure like a willow in the wind, always managing to dodge Li Yuanhu's heavy punches with minimal movement and the most unbelievable angles.

Li Yuanhu threw over a dozen punches, all hitting empty air. Exhausted and panting, he suddenly slid in and grabbed Li Pingcan's leg, using the ultimate cheating move in a child's fight: "Hehe, now you can't escape!"

"Tiger Cub, fighting isn't just about strength and cheating."

Li Pingcan smiled and gently tapped the willow branch in his hand, striking the nerve in Li Yuanhu's armpit.

The little guy felt a numbness in his arm, and half of his strength immediately disappeared. Li Pingcan took advantage of the situation and pulled him around involuntarily before he sat down on the ground with a thud.

"Third Uncle! You have no martial ethics!" Li Yuanhu sat on the ground, rubbing his buttocks, his face full of grievance and resentment.

"Warfare is based on deception." Li Pingcan patted his little head with a willow branch. "Just having brute strength is like being a bear. You need to learn to use your brain, understand? Look at this."

He extended a finger and, as Li Yuanhu charged at him again, casually flicked it on the forehead.

Li Yuanhu felt a sudden, subtle force strike him, instantly deflated his unstoppable charge, staggered back a few steps, and sat down on the ground once more.

"A real battle isn't won just by being strong."

Li Pingcan swayed slightly, mimicking the posture of a bear, and leaned forward in a seemingly clumsy manner.

Li Yuanhu instinctively tried to use brute force to push against it, but as soon as he made contact, he felt as if he had hit a cotton mountain. He couldn't muster any strength and was instead pulled down by the soft yet firm force, falling down again against his will.

He patted the dirt off his face, seemingly lost in thought, as if he had grasped something, and his fighting spirit flared even more as he exclaimed, "Again!"

Although he failed each time, Li Yuanhu's understanding of the essence of the Five Elements Body Forging Technique, such as the agility of the ape play and the lightness of the crane play, improved rapidly through these repeated practical training sessions.

…………

After instructing his nephew on how to cultivate the "Five Elements Body Forging Technique," Li Pingcan arrived in Qingjiang.

In recent years, as his family has grown and its members have increased, he has come to Qingjiang less often, mainly to learn about the array formations from the array spirit.

As soon as they entered the water, they saw the Azure Dragon lying listlessly on the bottom, poking a dozing old turtle with the tip of its tail.

"Little carp, you've finally arrived!"

Upon seeing him, Qingjiao immediately perked up and approached him, saying, "I tried the method you used to break through to the second level last time, but I still failed." He looked extremely regretful.

Li Pingcan was speechless. Four or five years had passed, and Qingjiao still hadn't broken through to the Illusionary Paradise Realm, which showed how "firm" his will was—firmly indulging in the gentle embrace of pleasure.

“I understand, I understand, it’s just the way dragons are,” Li Pingcan said. Dragons are inherently lustful.

"I only made the same mistake that all dragons make." The Azure Dragon became increasingly dejected and lamented, "I really missed passing this time by just a hair's breadth."

Upon hearing this, Li Pingcan's heart stirred.

Since the soul of his own bloodline descendant and animal companion, the Golden Eagle Xiaofei, could be drawn by the Heart of Nature and nurtured in the Emerald Dream, could the Azure Dragon, a spirit beast with whom he had a close relationship, also be nurtured?

The Emerald Dreamland is itself a place for cultivating the soul.

He cleared his throat and said, "Qingjiao, maybe I have a way to get you through."

The Azure Dragon was taken aback. "Little carp, are you still asleep? You can't possibly help me pass the test, can you?"

Li Pingcan didn't explain further, saying, "Believe it or not."

Qingjiao was skeptical, but the thought of passing the test made him eager. "Then... how do we do it?"

"It's simple, just close your eyes, clear your mind, and take a nap."

The Azure Dragon closed its golden snake eyes with a suspicious look, and a moment later it began to snore.

How carefree must one be to fall asleep instantly? This is a skill that so many insomniacs dream of!

Li Pingcan muttered a complaint, then gently placed his hand on its forehead, immersing himself in the Emerald Dream, while carefully guiding the power of the [Heart of Nature] towards the Azure Dragon's soul.

The next moment, in the Emerald Dream, a ball of divine soul light emitting a pale blue glow was slowly drawn into this spiritual home.

Li Pingcan looked delighted; it really worked!

With this guidance, Qingjiao has essentially obtained an "entry and exit permit," allowing him to cultivate his divine soul within dreams in the future.

Then the azure ball of divine soul light entered the dream and leisurely swam in the dream lake.

The white jade lotus in the center of the lake emitted a soft light, continuously merging strands of pure divine soul energy into the Azure Dragon's divine soul.

In the real world, the Azure Dragon's originally tense snake body completely relaxed, and the corners of its mouth even stretched into a憨厚 (honest and simple) arc, emitting a deafening snore.

After an unknown amount of time, the Azure Dragon opened its eyes, smacked its lips with a relaxed expression, and said, "I slept so comfortably." It didn't remember what the Emerald Dream looked like at all, only the feeling of comfort and ease. It felt refreshed and relaxed all over, and its mind became clearer than ever before. Many cultivation obstacles that it couldn't understand before suddenly became clear.

"Little carp! What kind of secret technique is this? Do it again! No, every day!" It immediately became addicted, its tail circling around Li Pingcan.

"Alright, alright, hurry up and try out your second level of the Dragon Palace." Li Pingcan smiled and pushed it away.

"Alright! I'll break that illusion today!" The Azure Dragon charged toward the Dragon Palace with boundless pride.

Originally, he was just one straw away from breaking through the Illusionary Music Platform. Now, with his enhanced spiritual power and perseverance, the Azure Dragon successfully passed the second trial, the Illusionary Music Platform!
Seeing Qingjiao holding the reward with great joy and delight, Li Pingcan smiled as well.

He was genuinely afraid that his friend would be stuck on the second level for the rest of his life.

After resolving Qingjiao's breakthrough issue, Li Pingcan offered a few words of encouragement and thought to himself, "I should also go and see the array spirit teacher."

The image flashed by in response to the thought.

It is still that ancient and solemn Zedao Hall.

Before Li Pingcan could even stand up straight, a lazy voice came from above the hall: "Oh, so you know how to come back? I thought you were so blinded by the outside world that you'd forgotten all about this boring skill of array formations!"

Li Pingcan looked up and saw the venerable old spirit master lying sprawled out on a cloud bed formed by spiritual energy, picking his teeth and giving him a disgruntled look.

His appearance was nothing like that of a superior person; he looked exactly like a lazy countryman sunbathing on a field ridge.

Li Pingcan couldn't help but chuckle and bowed respectfully: "Teacher, you are too kind. I will never forget your teachings, not even for a day."

"Alright, alright, stop with the nonsense."

The spirit leaped down from the cloud bed, circled Li Pingcan twice, and exclaimed in amazement, "Not bad, kid. Your divine sense is getting thicker and thicker. You've built a good foundation. Looks like you haven't been slacking off."

He clapped his hands enthusiastically: "Come on, come on, don't just stand there, let this old man see what new tricks you've come up with these past few years!"

Li Pingcan smiled slightly, his fingers forming a brush, and his spiritual energy moved at will. In an instant, a complex and exquisite "Hidden Mystery Spirit Array" was drawn out in the air. The array patterns flowed and the spiritual light was contained, completely concealing his own aura.

"Hey, not bad!" The array spirit's eyes lit up, and it clapped its hands in praise. "Your skill is as smooth as silk and leaves no trace. You haven't let this old man down. Alright, alright, put it away. If you keep showing off, even this old bone of mine will get jealous!"

Li Pingcan dispelled the illusion of the formation and smiled, "It's all thanks to the teacher's excellent guidance."

"That's natural!"

The spirit of the formation readily accepted the credit, then waved its hand, its expression carrying a hint of nonchalant indifference.

"However, you've surpassed me now. You've basically used up all the secrets I had. From here on out, it's your own 'path,' and I can't offer you any more theoretical guidance."

Upon hearing this, Li Pingcan paused, realizing that today was the day of "graduation".

He couldn't help but ask, "Teacher, if I go to the fifth floor, will you... disappear?"

"Disappear? You wish!"

The spirit of the formation glared and said, "I'm tied to this damned Dragon Palace. As long as it doesn't collapse, I'll stay here! You think you can get rid of me? No way! You'll have to come back and visit often, so I don't suffocate!"

Li Pingcan was completely relieved and a smile appeared on his face. After so many years of getting along, although the spirit had a bad temper, it was still a good teacher.

He was unwilling to enter the fifth level at the cost of his teacher's disappearance.

"Alright, alright, stop being so long-winded."

The spirit waved impatiently, "Hurry up and go to the next level, don't disturb my sleep. Oh, and remember, if you make a name for yourself in the future, don't ever say I taught you, I can't bear the shame!"

Even so, his old eyes were full of undisguised smiles and expectations.

Li Pingcan was deeply moved and bowed deeply to this teacher who was all talk and no action.

"Teacher, please take care."

…………

After bidding farewell to the spirit of the formation, Li Pingcan stepped through the portal leading to the fifth floor.

After a familiar feeling of weightlessness, the view before me suddenly opened up.

He found himself in a magnificent, almost unreal, palace. The dome stretched endlessly high, resembling a real starry sky, with billions of stars slowly rotating and casting a soft, mysterious glow.

The floor of the main hall was paved with a single piece of unidentified pure black jade, smooth as a mirror, reflecting the starry sky above, making it difficult to distinguish up from down for a moment.

In the very center of the main hall stand five enormous stone tablets that reach to the heavens and the earth.

These five stone tablets are the core of the "Five Elements Hall".

The stone tablet located in the east is entirely green, exuding endless vitality. On its surface, there seems to be a flowing phantom of billions of plants growing. Just one glance made Li Pingcan feel that the wood-elemental spiritual energy in his body had become more active.

The stone tablet in the south was as red as blood, and its scorching energy caused the surrounding space to distort slightly.

The western stone tablet was a sharp, golden color, its entire body shimmering with a dazzling white-gold light. An invincible, sharp sword intent rushed towards you, making your skin feel a stinging sensation.

The stone tablets in the north are as deep as the sea, with water-like patterns flowing slowly across their surfaces, sometimes calm like a lake, sometimes surging like a tide.

The central stone tablet, on the other hand, is a heavy and somber earthy yellow, giving people a sense of grandeur that can bear all things.

Welcome to the fifth level of the Dragon Palace, the Hall of Five Elements.

[Cultivators can meditate before the stone tablet, connect with the elemental source, enhance their affinity, and strengthen corresponding spells. There is no time limit for this challenge; what you gain depends entirely on your comprehension.]

"Relying entirely on comprehension?" Li Pingcan's eyes lit up instantly.

Isn't this a challenge tailor-made for him?

As nature's own son, he has never been afraid of anyone when it comes to elemental perception and comprehension!
"The Dragon Palace is truly my blessed land!"

Li Pingcan was in a good mood. "Isn't this just an elemental affinity buffet? You can eat whichever flavor you want!"

Without any hesitation, he strode to the emerald green stone tablet representing "wood" and sat down cross-legged.

Just kidding, he's a druid, his affinity for wood is ridiculously high, so comprehending the wood element is a piece of cake for him.

Li Pingcan closed his eyes and focused his mind on the stone tablet.

In an instant, a vast, ocean-like life energy engulfed him.

His consciousness seemed to transform into a fallen leaf, floating on the boundless ocean of life.

He felt the rings of the ancient tree, the tender buds breaking through the soil, the climbing vines... All the profound truths related to "wood" in the world were opened to him without reservation.

However, seven days later.

Li Pingcan opened his eyes with a constipated expression. His original confidence had turned into confusion and frustration.

"This...this isn't right!"

He scratched his head, completely baffled. He had indeed sensed the infinite mysteries of wood during this week, but that was precisely where the problem lay.

Because of his extremely high affinity with the wood element, these profound mysteries are like a university professor listening to a first-grade student's addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

He understood everything, but he just couldn't find any new breakthrough that could give him an "aha" moment.

"Could it be that my wood attribute is too high, thus becoming an obstacle to my cultivation?" Li Pingcan sighed and decided to give up for the time being.

Getting stuck on this one thing isn't going to work. I might as well go out and clear my head, and maybe I can show off my new progress to that guy Qingjiao.

"Hey, little carp!"

Upon seeing Li Pingcan, the Azure Dragon immediately swam over excitedly, "You've finally made it out! Guess which level I've reached?"

"Judging from your smug look, you must have passed the third level, right?" Li Pingcan laughed. He truly lived up to his reputation as the "chosen one" of the Dragon Clan's heritage, with thick skin and tough flesh. It took him two whole years to break through back then.

"Of course!" the Azure Dragon said proudly. "But the Earth Dragon Guard on the third level was too weak. I smashed it to pieces in no time!"

"Earth Dragon Guard?" Li Pingcan was taken aback.

"Yeah, that guy was covered in rocks, so hard it was unbelievable. If I hadn't inherited some dragon bloodline, which made me tough and resilient, I might not have been able to beat it!"

A thought flashed through Li Pingcan's mind.

So that's how it is! The trials in the Dragon Palace are indeed tailored to each individual!
(End of this chapter)