Druid Fairy

Chapter 149 The Rising Sun
Another spring has arrived in the blink of an eye.

In the backyard of the Li family mansion, the small tree that the Soul Wood sapling had grown into, like the Spirit Mulberry sapling, stood tall and graceful, with colorful light flowing between its branches and leaves.

Nourished by both the Druid's dojo and the spirit-gathering array, this place has long been transformed into a blessed land. Ordinary people who stay here for a day will feel refreshed and free from all illnesses.

Li Pingcan sat under a tree, brewed a pot of tea, and watched his one-year-old daughter, Li Mengyue, learn to walk in the yard.

The bloodline of 【Moonlight】 had given this child the impression that she would grow up to be a quiet, refined young lady, like a fairy under the moon.

Xiao Mengyue is indeed quiet, spending most of her time sleeping, but once she wakes up, her energy is simply unbelievable.

Even more outrageous is her incredible strength.

She had just learned to crawl when she was able to drag a stone bench that was heavier than herself with one hand.

Now just over a year old, she can already walk unsteadily. On an ordinary threshold, she lifts her little leg and kicks it open with a "bang," creating a gap.

When Qin first saw it, she was terrified, thinking her house was haunted.

This caused a strange sense of unease to rise in Li Pingcan's heart.

He often rested his chin on his hand, looking at his daughter's inexhaustible energy with a furrowed brow.

'This kid, will she grow up to be a muscular, super-strong woman who could kill a bull with one punch?'

An image of a girl with pigtails and eight-pack abs flashed through his mind, and he immediately shivered.

He said worriedly to Xie Yuan beside him, "Yuanyuan, do you think... our daughter won't grow up to be a muscular, tough woman?"

He could even picture his daughter in the future, clad in heavy armor, wielding a giant axe, ready to twist someone's head off at the slightest provocation.

"Pfft!"

Xie Yuan was amused by his worried look. She covered her mouth and chuckled, "Husband, you're just talking nonsense. It's a blessing that our daughter is strong. Besides, a girl's physique is different from a boy's. Even if she's strong, she'll only have a well-proportioned figure. She won't end up like what you're describing."

Even so, she was secretly amazed as she watched her daughter effortlessly swing the stone.

This strength might even surpass that of her nephew, Li Yuanhu, who had been cultivating since childhood.

"Daddy! Hug me!"

Little Mengyue seemed to have gotten tired of playing. She dropped the stone, took her short legs, and wobbled towards Li Pingcan, stretching out her two pink little hands.

Li Pingcan instantly forgot all his worries, hugged his daughter tightly, and kissed her delicate little face hard.

Oh well, so be it. He's my own flesh and blood, I don't mind.

A voice came from the mind.

"Little carp, could you please tell your daughter to stop staring at me like that? It's giving me the creeps."

Then, the Azure Dragon transformed into a small green snake and coiled around the trunk of the Mulberry Spirit Tree.

Since the last battle against the beasts, the Azure Dragon has stayed at the Li family, ostensibly to "experience mortal life and consolidate its realm," but in reality, it covets the rich spiritual energy within the dojo and the soul tree that can nourish the soul.

The Li family had long since gone from being terrified by the addition of a snake to their yard to gradually becoming accustomed to it.

The azure dragon idly poked at the tree branch with the tip of its tail, while warily glancing at the little one who was being carried away from Li Pingcan's arms.

When Xiao Mengyue saw the Azure Dragon, she was not afraid at all. Instead, her eyes lit up as if she had seen a novel and wonderful toy.

She struggled to slide off Li Pingcan's arms, and with her short legs, she wobbled and staggered to the front of Qingjiao.

She reached out her small hand and grabbed the Azure Dragon's tail, which was thicker than her arm, and then...

Then she used the green snake as a rope and swung it around the yard, making "heave-ho" noises!

Xie Yuan was so shocked that she covered her mouth.

The Azure Dragon, the snake involved, was completely dumbfounded.

It stared blankly at its tail, which was being yanked and swung wildly by a tiny creature, and for the first time, a look of existential disbelief appeared on the snake's face.

Is this...is this reasonable?
It, a dignified late-stage peak first-tier spirit beast and the overlord of Qingjiang, was actually used as a rope by a baby who had just turned one year old.

"Little Carp, your daughter... she's not human either!"

"Hahaha!"

Seeing Qingjiao's humiliated expression, Li Pingcan couldn't hold back any longer and burst into laughter.

………………

Soon, it was time for Xiao Mengyue's lottery-style feast.

In recent years, the Li family has become increasingly low-key and rarely holds banquets.

Although this was just a small private banquet for his granddaughter, with only a few close friends invited, his reputation was so great that almost all the prominent figures in Yunshui County had flocked to the event.

The reason for this is nothing more than the current power and influence of the Li family.

Early in the morning, the Li family mansion was packed with guests.

Zhao Huafeng, the chief镖头 (bodyguard) of Weiyuan Escort Agency, Jiang Han, the master of Jiang Family Sword Hall, Lei Zhenshan of White Tiger Martial Arts Hall... these old friends who were on good terms with the Li family naturally arrived early.

Those who had grudges against the Li family in the past, or those newly rich who wanted to curry favor with the Li family, also prepared generous gifts and greeted them with smiles, as if they were old friends.

The Su family, the only family in Yunshui County specializing in cultivating immortality, sent a gift. Even the usually reclusive Magistrate Wen sent a congratulatory gift, showing great respect to the Li family.

Li Pingfu stood tall and was exchanging pleasantries with several colleagues.

Since the last battle against the beasts, although his merits were mostly erased by that old fox Wei Yanzheng under some pretext, he only received a "merits and demerits cancel each other out" evaluation, and his official rank could not be promoted further.

He didn't take it to heart.

Compared to the elusive official position, the safety of his family and the peace of Yunshui County were what he valued more.

He was content to stay in Yunshui County, to protect this land, and to be with his wife, children, and parents.

But Jiang Ling'er didn't think so.

Looking at her husband, she felt a pang of indescribable bitterness and resentment.

After the beast tide, Li Pingfu had clearly made great contributions, but because of a few words from that Lord Wei, he returned to his position as the county magistrate of Yunshui.

“Husband, look at Wei Yanzheng. He’s clearly jealous of talent. You risked your life to defend the city, and he just wiped out all your achievements with a single, casual remark! This world is so unfair!” She felt sorry for her husband.

Upon hearing this, Li Pingfu simply smiled, took her hand, and said softly, "Ling'er, what I seek is not high office and great wealth, but simply that the people under my rule suffer less bullying and have more peace and stability."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ling'er couldn't swallow her anger. Her husband had bled and cried, only to receive such unfair treatment in the end. How could she not feel heartbroken?

She even began to worry that her son, Yuanhu, might encounter the same situation when he grew up.
In this world where celestial officials reign supreme, are warriors ultimately just pawns to be manipulated at will?

As she was lost in thought, the hall was already bustling with activity.

The drawing of lots has begun.

On a huge mahogany table, all sorts of objects were laid out: writing brushes, ink, paper, inkstones, swords, spears, halberds, abacuses, account books, rouge, face powder... a dazzling array of items, shimmering with color.

Xiao Mengyue was held by Madam Qin and placed in the center of the table.

The little guy wasn't shy at all; his big, dark eyes curiously looked around, seemingly interested in everything.

"My dear granddaughter, come on, choose one you like," Madam Qin said with a smile, guiding her.

All eyes were focused on that small figure.

“I think this child will definitely grab that sword! Look at her strength, she’s a natural-born martial arts prodigy!” Lei Zhenshan said, stroking his beard.

“Not at all,” Zhou Enxian chuckled. “I think this child has delicate features and a bright spirit. He might choose the Four Treasures of the Study.”

Amidst the enthusiastic discussion, Xiao Mengyue finally moved.

She didn't touch the imposing sword, nor did she look at the exquisite writing implements.

She stretched out her chubby little hand and, to everyone's astonishment, grabbed it...

They grabbed a plain, unremarkable emerald green willow twig that Li Pingcan had placed in the far corner to make up the numbers.

Everyone looked at each other, their faces filled with confusion.

This... what is going on?
Instead of swords, spears, halberds, writing brushes, inkstones, and glittering goldware, he chose a willow twig.
Li Pingcan's heart stirred.

That willow branch was no ordinary item; it was a piece of branch he had broken off from the sacred mulberry tree, containing the purest natural life force.

"Not bad."

Li Pingcan picked up his daughter and kissed her on the cheek, saying, "Returning to simplicity is the choice of the Great Way!"

Although everyone was still confused by what he said, they all agreed with him.

"Yes, yes! The Third Young Master is right! This is called great wisdom appearing as foolishness!"

“Willow branches have been associated with good fortune and warding off evil since ancient times. This child will surely have a smooth life and be blessed with good luck.”

A small lottery-style banquet concluded amidst everyone's praise.

…………

night.

Inside the cave at Listening Wind Cliff.

Li Pingcan sat cross-legged, his body surging with magical power.

"That's almost it."

That year, he absorbed all the flesh of second-tier demon beasts, and with the help of pills obtained from various channels, he naturally reached the peak of the fifth level of Qi Refining. And this barrier, like thin ice melted by the spring sun, quietly melted away.

Qi Refining Level 6! "Hoo..."

With a long, deep breath, his divine light subsided, and his aura reached its ultimate perfection.

A more powerful and refined magical power erupted from his dantian, instantly flowing throughout his limbs and bones.

His spiritual sense expanded once again, almost encompassing half of Mount Ling.

"The peak of the mid-stage Qi Refining realm is only one step away from the late-stage Qi Refining realm."

Li Pingcan felt a surge of emotion; the arduous training had been worthwhile.

The path to immortality is long and arduous, but he has never neglected the cultivation of martial arts, forging new paths in the process.

He stood up, walked to the open space in front of the cave, and slowly closed his eyes.

With the mutual corroboration between the "Heaven and Earth Furnace Body Forging Technique" and the "Five Spirits Play" in his mind, his physical body had already surpassed the realm of Divine Martial Realm. The strength of his blood and qi, and the toughness of his muscles and bones, had reached an inconceivable level.

He no longer deliberately distinguished between the two techniques, but instead integrated their essence into himself.

His body is the furnace of heaven and earth that can contain all things.

The power of the five elements is the firewood, and the essence of the five spirits is the flame.

Every breath he took was a profound tempering of his physical body.

His martial arts golden body, through day-to-day tempering, became increasingly transparent and harmonious, and that drop of golden true essence gradually took on a touch of iridescent glass color.

In a sudden flash of inspiration, he abruptly opened his eyes.

There were no earth-shattering phenomena; everything seemed to fall into place naturally.

He felt the drop of golden solid true essence within his dantian tremble suddenly, then transform into a tiny vortex, frantically devouring the blood and magical power within his body.

Feeling the power within his body comparable to the Foundation Establishment level, Li Pingcan's mind was completely clear.

…………

With his cultivation greatly improved, Li Pingcan once again turned his gaze to the Emerald Dream.

Since Li Mengyue's birth, the dream world has once again opened up the ancient ruins.

Within the ruins of the dream, the blurry figure of the sword cultivator solidified once more.

This time, it seemed to have sensed Li Pingcan's change as well, and its sharp sword intent was even more fierce than before.

"We meet again, 'teacher'."

Li Pingcan smiled slightly. This time, he didn't wait for his opponent to make a move, but instead launched an attack.

With a flick of his sword, Jingzhe, he unleashed the first five moves of the Thirteen Swords of Wind, flowing smoothly like clouds and water.

The gentle sway of willow branches, the swiftness of fleeting light, the endless rolling clouds, the cunning way of penetrating crevices, the eerie silence...

He perfectly fused the five distinct sword intents together, transforming them into an overwhelming sword net that completely sealed off all the space for the sword cultivator's divine sense to dodge.

The fragments of divine sense seemed to have not expected him to progress so quickly. The fixed "program" became slightly disordered and was forced to retreat repeatedly.

Li Pingcan, having gained the upper hand, pressed his advantage and changed his sword stance once more!
"Sixth move, Returning Wind!"

The sword light suddenly became erratic, like the chaotic winds echoing in the valley, making it impossible to predict.

The fragments of divine consciousness were struggling to cope and finally revealed a fatal flaw.

"It's now!"

A glint flashed in Li Pingcan's eyes, and he unleashed the full power of the Five Elements Play, thrusting out his sword!

"Qiang!"

With a crisp sound, the longsword, which was formed from sword intent, shattered!

The fragments of divine consciousness were completely transformed into countless points of light under this sword strike.

[You have defeated the incomplete thought of the ancient sword cultivator, and the inheritance of the Thirteen Swords of Wind has been completed.]

An even greater understanding of swordsmanship surged into his mind, and he mastered the remaining eight moves of the Thirteen Wind Return Swords.

Returning wind, splitting rocks, piercing clouds, cutting off water, formless, sudden rain, thunder, returning to nothingness.

"Finally, we're all here."

Li Pingcan closed his eyes, concentrated, and stood quietly for a long time, digesting these insights.

When he opened his eyes again, his entire demeanor had subtly changed. A sharp, sword-like edge had appeared deep within his once gentle eyes.

He looked at the ancient iron sword in his hand, and a thought struck him.

"The wind returns, and everything returns to nothingness!"

With a single swing of the sword, there was no earth-shattering force, only an extremely fast sword light that flashed and disappeared in an instant.

The misty dream ahead was actually cleaved open by this silent sword strike, leaving a tiny crack.

Although it was healed in an instant, it was enough to prove that his sword strike had touched the edge of a certain level.

…………

Peach Blossom Village, behind the mountain.

Li Mengjin was holding his inseparable short sword, "Shadow Fang," and looking intently at his father.

Li Pingcan, holding a willow branch, moved with graceful movements as he practiced the "Thirteen Swords of Wind Return" for him.

“Meng Jin, watch closely. The sword is not brute force, but the wind, the clouds, and the ever-flowing ‘momentum’ of everything in this world.”

As he spoke, he demonstrated, imparting the complete "Thirteen Swords of Wind Return" manual and his own understanding of swordsmanship to Li Mengjin without reservation.

Sometimes the sword strikes like a gentle rain, nourishing silently; sometimes it strikes like a whirlwind, sweeping across all directions; sometimes it strikes like a thunderclap, disappearing in a flash.

Li Mengjin's talent is truly one in a million.

What ordinary sword cultivators need years or even decades to comprehend is as simple as eating and drinking for him.

With just a little guidance from Li Pingcan, he was able to apply what he learned to other situations, and his swordsmanship became more and more graceful.

"Fourth move, drilling through the gap!"

With a soft shout, Li Mengjin's wooden sword transformed into a phantom, precisely striking the weakest point on the seemingly flawless curtain of water as the waterfall cascaded down.

"Wow!"

The rushing water was instantly cut off by this seemingly casual sword strike!

"Fifth move: Silence!"

The sword flashed silently, slicing across a bluestone and leaving a smooth, mirror-like cut.

Li Pingcan was both surprised and delighted.

"How come all the skills I painstakingly learned through apprenticeship and torture, along with the 'initiation' in my dreams, are just like child's play to this kid?"

This person was born with a sword-wielding physique; it's truly outrageous!

Despite his complaints, seeing his son's talent far surpassing his own, Li Pingcan felt more pride as a father.

With such a gifted son, how could the Li family not prosper in the future?
…………

As the seedlings begin to sprout, the pillars of the family gradually take shape.

Li Yuanhu has grown into a heroic seventeen-year-old boy.

He was tall and muscular, with piercing, tiger-like eyes, and exuded a fierce and valiant aura.

With the help of the Soulwood Leaf, he not only mastered the Five Elements Body Forging Technique, but also successfully condensed his wild blood and qi into the first strand of acquired true energy half a year ago, stepping into the acquired realm!
A seventeen-year-old prodigy!

If this news gets out, it will be enough to cause a huge uproar in the entire Yunshui County.

That day, he found his father, Li Pingfu, practicing boxing.

"Father, I want to participate in the martial arts examination."

For ordinary martial artists who want to rise above their station, the best option is to participate in the martial arts examination, become a junior officer in the army, and gain experience away from home.

Li Yuanhu got straight to the point, his voice steady.

Li Pingfu stopped what he was doing, looked at his son's face, which bore a seven-tenths resemblance to his own but was even more resolute, and remained silent for a moment.

"Have you made up your mind?"

"Think about it."

Li Yuanhu nodded emphatically, "I don't want to live under your and my uncles' protection for the rest of my life. The men of the Li family should make contributions and defend our country!"

His words resonated deeply.

Looking at him, Li Pingfu felt as if he were seeing his younger self.

"Good! That's ambitious."

He stepped forward and patted his son heavily on the shoulder, "You're a true son of mine, Li Pingfu! Go ahead and do it!"

"Yes, Father!"

Li Yuanhu grinned, revealing a set of white teeth; his smile was as radiant as the rising sun.

(End of this chapter)