Druid Fairy

Chapter 145 The Moon Goddess's Healing
"call!"

Li Pingcan exhaled a breath of stale air and withdrew his transformed [Wild Fury]. The violent power subsided, giving him a brief moment of peace.

Just as he was about to step forward and touch the corpse, a faint sense of crisis, like a needle prick, suddenly swept through his soul.

Looking down, he saw that his finger, which had just killed Su Qingyun, had an unseen trace of blood on it.

"Tracing the Imprint!"

The mark, like a tiny, blood-red worm, was trying to burrow under his skin and merge with his blood.

This is a method used by cultivation families to pursue their enemies relentlessly, to the death.

"This really is a case of 'if you beat the kid, the old man will come'."

Li Pingcan muttered to himself, unlike when he killed Su Huanuan, he was unaware of the Su family's strangeness. He was prepared and mobilized the natural magic power within his body, transforming it into a pure purifying light that firmly enveloped and dissolved the blood-red mark.

"Fortunately, it was just a small seal. If it had been a seal personally placed by the Su family patriarch, it probably wouldn't have been so easy to resolve."

Li Pingcan was still shaken and became increasingly wary of these long-established families of cultivators.

"Little brother, what's wrong?" Li Pingfu noticed that his expression was off and quickly stepped forward to ask.

"It's nothing, just a small problem, it's been resolved." Li Pingcan waved his hand, not wanting his older brother to worry.

"Then what happens next..."

"Now, let's get back to what we were doing."

Li Pingcan smiled. "We haven't collected the spoils yet. We can't let this lady of the Su family make this trip for nothing, can we?"

Seeing his younger brother's relaxed appearance, Li Pingfu's worries dissipated considerably, and he couldn't help but shake his head with a smile.

The two walked to Su Qingyun's body, looking at this once beautiful woman who had now ended up lying exposed in the wilderness.

The path of cultivation is indeed fraught with peril; one wrong step can lead to utter ruin.

Despite his feelings of感慨 (gǎn kǎi, deep emotion), his hands moved without slowing down.

Su Qingyun's wealth far surpassed that of ordinary rogue cultivators. His storage bag contained not only hundreds of mid-grade spirit stones, but also a bottle of second-tier healing pills and a thick stack of talismans.

But what's most eye-catching is, of course, her flying sword.

It was a long sword with a jade-like color throughout. The blade was as thin as autumn water, shimmering with light. A blooming lotus flower was carved on the hilt, exuding an elegant yet sharp aura.

"What a sword!"

Li Pingcan held the sword in his hand and felt a cool sensation flow into his body through his palm.

Li Pingfu said, "What a fine sword! Its sharpness is restrained, and its spiritual energy is abundant. It is even better than my Soul-Chasing Sword."

“If you like it, then take it and use it,” Li Pingcan said with a smile.

Li Pingfu shook his head: "I don't find it convenient to use. But you, having obtained 'Awakening of Insects' and this 'Azure Lotus,' are a perfect match, one main and one auxiliary, the two swords combined are even more powerful."

Li Pingcan did not refuse, carefully put away the Azure Lotus Sword, and then checked the remaining spoils of war.

Aside from a few spare magical artifacts and dozens of mid-grade spirit stones, what surprised him most was a copy of Su Qingyun's alchemy notes.

The notes not only contain detailed records of improved formulas and refining tips for dozens of first-tier pills, but also a fragment of a formula for a second-tier pill called "Foundation Building Pill"!

One Foundation Establishment Pill can increase the chance of Foundation Establishment by 10%. Don't underestimate this level; many geniuses have failed here.

'Once Mengze's alchemy skills are strong enough, we'll have him try to complete his Foundation Establishment Pill!'

He then picked out a few bottles of pills and handed them to Li Pingfu, saying, "Brother, you've been fighting with people all these years. These pills can save your life in critical moments."

Li Pingfu didn't stand on ceremony. He knew his younger brother had plenty of good stuff, so he readily accepted it.

"You rascal," the Azure Dragon's voice rang out, tinged with a hint of mockery, "you're quite generous to your brother. Aren't you afraid they'll find out that you, a 'mortal martial artist,' are richer than these proper officials and innate masters?"

"So what if you know?" Li Pingcan laughed. "My brothers and I are not outsiders."

"Tsk tsk, your older brother's energy is too vigorous. He fights like a bear, not like a human at all. If I didn't know you were my good brother's older brother, I would have thought you were some great demon who transformed into a human to experience life!"

You're saying my older brother isn't human?
Upon hearing this, Li Pingfu merely glanced at it indifferently and remained silent.

But the meaning in his eyes was clear: Try saying one more word?
The Azure Dragon immediately shrank its neck, chuckled, and dared not act rashly again.

Li Pingfu was sorting through Su Qingyun's "inheritance" when he suddenly felt a chill down his spine and turned around in confusion.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"It's nothing," Li Pingcan said seriously, suppressing a laugh. "Big brother, it's cold, wear more clothes."

…………

The battle against the beast tide has finally come to an end.

A year later, when Li Pingcan set foot on the land of Peach Blossom Village again, spring had arrived and flowers were in full bloom.

He arrived at the Li family mansion, travel-worn and dressed in a blue robe.

"Third Master is back!"

"Quickly go and inform the old lady and the madam!"

The servants spread the news excitedly, their faces beaming with joy.

Before Li Pingcan even reached the backyard, he saw Xie Yuan, with her round belly, waiting expectantly under the eaves, supported by her maid.

Upon seeing him, Xie Yuan's eyes instantly reddened, and she slowly walked towards him.

"My husband, you're finally back."

"I'm back." Li Pingcan pulled her into his arms, feeling a sense of peace as he smelled the familiar fragrance emanating from his wife.

Xie Yuan was ten months pregnant and nearing the end of her pregnancy. He chased after her like a shooting star and finally made it back.

Sure enough, a few days later, a clear and loud cry brought new joy to the Li family mansion.

Xie Yuan successfully gave birth to a baby girl.

Qin and Li Rongzhou were holding their newborn granddaughter, beaming with joy.

Beside Xie Yuan's bed, Zhao Sisi was carefully serving her with a bowl of ginseng soup.

"Husband."

When Xie Yuan saw Li Pingcan, her eyes reddened, and her voice carried a hint of postpartum weakness, but more than anything, it was filled with joy.

Li Pingcan walked to the bedside, held her slightly cold hand, and looked at her pale face, feeling guilty and heartbroken.

"Thanks a lot."

He leaned down and gently kissed her forehead.

"It's not hard work." Xie Yuan shook her head, a happy smile on her face. "Come on, look at our daughter."

Li Pingcan took the tiny swaddled baby from his mother's hands, and a wonderful feeling of blood connection welled up in his heart once again.

The baby girl in my arms was even more rosy and adorable than her two older brothers were when they were born. She was sleeping soundly, her long eyelashes fluttering gently like butterfly wings, her little mouth slightly pouting, as if she were having a sweet dream.

"Those eyebrows, those noses, they're exactly like mine when I was little!" Li Pingcan held the soft little baby in his arms, doting on his daughter.

The Li family is predominantly male and has very few daughters. Although Li Nianhe from Li Ping'an's family is also a girl, she does not live in the old house, so she doesn't experience that novelty.

Now that the baby has been born, she's a little girl, and the whole family is very happy about it.

"Yes, yes, just like you, just like you." Xie Yuan leaned against the headboard, looking at her husband's silly expression, her face full of a happy smile.

Unlike her two older brothers, the little girl doesn't have that flamboyant "talent" aura; instead, she carries a cool and serene air like moonlight.

Just as Li Pingcan hugged his daughter, the panel popped up again.

The birth of your bloodline has strengthened the power of the Druid Dojo.

[Your bloodline inheritance has the following three options.]

Option 1: Breath of the Tree (Compatibility: 88%)

Option 2: Faint Moonlight (Compatibility: 99%)

Option 3: Dance Style (Compatibility: 75%)

"A faint moonlight?"

Li Pingcan looked at the compatibility score of 99% and his heart stirred.

This skill was one of the earliest Druid abilities he acquired. It allowed him to absorb lunar energy by bathing in moonlight, thus nourishing his soul. Although the effect was weak, it was the most peaceful.

Seeing the 99% compatibility rating, although the Moon's Glimmer wasn't strong, it could be developed into a bloodline talent, perhaps with unexpected effects. Without hesitation, Li Pingcan immediately chose [Moon's Glimmer].

[Bloodline inheritance successful!]

[Your descendant has gained the bloodline ability: Moon Goddess's Healing.]

[Your descendant possesses a talent for healing and soothing. She can slowly heal injuries and purify negative emotions by channeling the power of moonlight, and continuously absorb moonlight to strengthen her physique. This ability will continuously upgrade as the descendant grows and her spirit strengthens, and she has a natural affinity for all "Yin" attribute techniques and spells.]

"The Healing Power of the Moon Goddess..."

Li Pingcan murmured softly, looking at his sleeping daughter in his arms with tender eyes.

One who can discern good from evil, and who can lead the family in the future.

A natural swordsman, destined to become a sharp weapon for the family.

And now, there is another natural "nanny"!
Offense, defense, support—this third generation of the Li family is practically the perfect pioneering team!

"My little darling!" He kissed the baby's forehead. "I'll call you Li Mengyue!"

…………

When the siblings first met, Li Yuanhu and the other children, including Li Nianhe, were already extremely curious about the new little sister.

Li Yuanhu poked his sister's face with his finger, shouting, "Let me see, let me see, who does my sister look like?"

Jiang Ling'er, who was standing to the side, laughed and slapped his hand away, "Go away, you just finished practicing martial arts and you're all sweaty. Don't bother your sister with the smell."

Looking at Li Mengyue, the little girl surrounded by everyone, who was as delicate as a porcelain doll, Li Mengjin felt a strange, inexplicable feeling welling up inside him.

He was born with a sword-wielding physique, and his senses were much sharper than those of ordinary people. This little sister carried a cool and tranquil aura like moonlight, which made him instinctively want to get close to her.

But as soon as he took a step, wanting to go over and take a look like his brother Yuanhu, his feet seemed to be rooted to the spot, and he couldn't move at all.

In the months since his father left home, he had overheard some vague words in the occasional whispers of the maids and servants.

"Child born of the principal wife", "Child born of a concubine", "Male wife", "Second wife"...

Although he was young, he vaguely understood the difference. His older brother, Mengze, was the child of his father and stepmother, the legitimate son, and the future heir of the family.

As for myself, I am the child of my father and Sisi's mother, but I am an illegitimate child.

The old woman treated him extremely well, no different from her own son, but that subtle difference was like a tiny thorn that quietly pierced his heart.

Then Li Yuanxi walked over calmly and placed a delicate rattle drum into his younger sister's cradle. His grandmother, Qin, and Aunt Yuanyuan both smiled and praised him for being sensible.

Li Mengjin wanted to step forward, but he always felt that there was an invisible wall separating him from others. He was afraid of seeing other people's strange looks, and even more afraid of appearing out of place.

Xie Yuan was the mistress of the house and her father's legal wife. When she held her younger sister Mengyue, the smiles on the faces of her grandmother and the servants seemed more genuine.

His own mother, though also a mistress, always carried a hint of cautious respect.

The distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children.

The word he heard from the storyteller was imprinted on his young mind for the first time with such clarity.

Is he... different from his older brother and sister, and his newborn sister?
The sword's innate sharpness dimmed somewhat at this moment.

He subconsciously took a half step back, hiding himself behind his older brother Li Yuanhu. His small figure looked somewhat lonely and forlorn.

…………

The night was as still as water, and candlelight shone brightly in Li Pingcan's study.

He held Li Mengjin on his lap, looking into his son's clear eyes that held a hint of unease, and sighed softly.

"Mengjin, why are you unhappy today?" he asked, feigning ignorance, his voice gentle.

Li Mengjin lowered her head and remained silent.

"Is it because your sister was born that you feel your father doesn't love you anymore?" Li Pingcan changed his approach.

Li Mengjin shook her head violently, her little face full of grievance, "No!"

"What's that for?"

Under her father's gentle guidance, Li Mengjin finally couldn't hold back any longer and voiced the confusion in her heart: "Father, am I... different from my brothers and sisters? Am I... a little worse than them?"

Li Pingcan sighed softly.

Since ancient times, there has been a distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children. Even a confident child like Li Mengjin would feel hesitant and inferior after learning about the differences.

This is an objective institutional gap, one that we cannot change even if we ourselves can.

He hugged his son and comforted him, "Who said that? In my heart, each and every one of you is my most precious treasure. No one is inferior to the other."

He paused, his tone becoming serious: "Mengjin, you must remember, what determines a person's worth is never their birth, but their own choices and efforts. Your eldest brother, Yuanhu, was born with superhuman strength. Your brother, Mengze, is exceptionally intelligent. And you..."

Li Pingcan took out the short sword "Shadow Fang," which was entirely black and exuded a restrained sharpness, from his storage bag.

"And you, are a born swordsman."

He placed "Shadowfang" in his son's hands. "This sword is what your father found for you. It's waiting for a worthy master. Your father believes that one day, your name will make this sword shine with the most dazzling light."

Li Mengjin stared blankly at the short sword in his hand. The icy touch and the sharp aura that connected him to his blood made him instantly forget all his grievances and unease.

He could tell that his father wasn't lying to him.

“Father…” He raised his head, the gloom in his eyes vanished, and a bright light rekindled.

“Father is here.” Li Pingcan smiled and rubbed his head. “Remember, your background and how others see you are all other people’s opinions. You are my son, Li Pingcan. You just need to walk your own path, become stronger than anyone else, so strong that everyone will shut up. That’s enough.”

"Yes!" Li Mengjin choked up.

"Alright, a real man doesn't shed tears, he bleeds." Li Pingcan patted him on the back with a smile and handed him the scabbard of "Shadow Fang". "Remember, a sword is for protection, not for showing off. Don't draw it lightly before you have enough strength to wield it."

"I understand!"

Li Mengjin nodded heavily, gripping the "Shadow Fang" sword tightly in his hand. The cold hilt seemed to carry the warmth of his father's palm, making him feel incredibly warm and secure.

The lingering resentment in my heart has long since vanished.

…………

Meanwhile, Li Mengze, who was far away at the state academy, also received a letter from home.

"My sister was born?"

As he looked at his father's familiar handwriting in the letter, a genuine smile appeared on his handsome face.

He immediately picked up his pen to reply, expressing not only his joy at congratulating her, but also his curiosity and anticipation for his sister.

Along with the letter came a heavy package.

Upon opening it, one discovers a finely crafted alchemy furnace, its spiritual energy contained within.

"It was sent by my father!"

Li Mengze stroked the warm, smooth surface of the stove with great affection, a warm feeling welling up in his heart.

He knew that this was not just a pill furnace, but also his father's affirmation and support for his path of alchemy.

'With this, my success rate in refining the Qingyuan Pill will increase by at least 20%! Then I can exchange it for tons of spirit stones and medicinal herbs!'

He happily planned, 'My little sister's name is Mengyue, it sounds like a very gentle name. I need to refine some beauty-enhancing pills to give to her when she grows up.'

My heart is full of enthusiasm.

Just as he was preparing to go to the alchemy hall to continue his research on new elixir formulas, a shop assistant from the herbal medicine hall respectfully delivered an invitation.

"Our manager Qian said that he is hosting a banquet at Wangyue Tower tonight and would like to invite you to attend, as he has important matters to discuss with you."

Li Mengze accepted the gold-embossed invitation, but his brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

Since the "Qingyuan Pill" became a bestseller, Manager Qian of Baicaotang has been extremely polite to him. Every time they meet, he addresses him respectfully as "Young Master Li" or "Master Li Dan". He has never used the phrase "please do me the honor" before.

The tone wasn't like an invitation; it was more like an invitation that couldn't be refused.

Acting first and informing later is not in line with Baicaotang's usual style of "making money through harmony".

A sense of vigilance rose in Li Mengze's heart, but his face remained calm as he smiled gently and said, "Please thank Manager Qian for his hospitality. I will definitely keep the appointment on time tonight."

The waiter breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that he had agreed, and quickly bowed and withdrew.

Li Mengze looked at the invitation in his hand. Beneath the ornate words, there seemed to be a hint of chill that was not easily detected.

He pondered for a moment, then made no fuss. On his way back to the Pill Hall, he stopped by the Talisman Pavilion and exchanged all the spirit stones he had recently earned for several powerful attack talismans, which he then quietly hid in his sleeve.

(End of this chapter)