Druid Fairy

Chapter 151 Returning Origin Sword Scripture
Li Pingcan fiddled with the yellowed book "The Art of Divination and Calculation," his heart filled with curiosity.

This is a method of divination that can predict good and bad fortune, and help one avoid misfortune and seek good luck. It is an essential skill for home, travel, and even for dealing with unsavory characters.

He imitated the illustrations in the ancient book, sat down cross-legged with great seriousness, and took out three copper coins from his storage bag, muttering: "Heavenly spirits, earthly spirits, may the Supreme Lord Lao appear quickly... cough, wrong channel."

He cleared his throat and, following the instructions in the book, used an even more ancient and difficult incantation to toss the copper coin into the air.

"Clap."

Three copper coins landed on the stone table, and the divination result was complete.

"Let me see what the weather will be like tomorrow?"

He leaned forward, gesturing at the diagrams in the book for a long time, his brow furrowed, and finally concluded, "Li represents fire, and there is wind... Tomorrow will be a clear day with a gentle breeze?"

The next day, a torrential downpour swept through the land, cleansing the entire world and making it look brand new.

"How come this divination method is even less reliable than buying lottery tickets?"

Li Pingcan rubbed his chin, then tried to divine how the Azure Dragon would fare today.

The divination result showed "Kan represents water, indicating danger," a very ominous sign. Startled, he immediately contacted the Azure Dragon, who was playing in the Qingjiang River. He discovered that the Azure Dragon was not only unharmed but also dragging half of a monster's corpse that had appeared out of nowhere, happily showing off its bountiful harvest to him.

"This lousy book is less accurate than a blind fortune teller on the street!"

After much effort, Li Pingcan finally realized that the art of divination was profound and complex. To even begin to understand it, one either needed exceptional talent, like Su Moyun, or one needed to expend a massive amount of divine sense and magical power to capture even the slightest trace of the secrets of the Great Dao.

Even so, with his current cultivation level, he could only get some ambiguous results if he tried to divine by force.

Only by immersing one's mind in the Emerald Dream and drawing upon the natural power of the Druid's Dojo can one barely glimpse a trace of the future.

But every time he performed a deduction, he felt as if his soul had been drained, leaving him utterly exhausted.

"I see. This art of divination consumes not only magical power, but also one's own fortune and connection with the world. Although I am a druid, I am not completely free from the constraints of this world. Forcing divination will only result in seeing things through a fog."

He understood the situation perfectly and completely abandoned the idea of ​​"covering up the secrets" for the Li family.

"Forget it, I'll just treat divination as a hobby and study it from now on."

He put away the ancient book and took out the white jade pendant that could block detection. This item was not very useful to him, since the Jade Dream was his greatest means of concealment.

But for his son, Li Mengze, who was far away in the prefecture and at the center of the storm, it was an excellent talisman.

"Xiao Fei!"

With his call, the golden eagle Xiaofei landed silently on the windowsill.

"Go and give this to Mengze."

…………

Huaqing Mountain, the Su family mansion.

"boom!"

A crisp cracking sound broke the deathly silence of the ancestral hall.

An old servant responsible for guarding the soul lamp suddenly looked up. When he saw that the soul lamp representing the ancestor Su Moyun had been shattered into dust, he was so frightened that his soul almost left his body, and he scrambled out of the room.

"Oh no! The ancestor's soul lamp... has gone out!"

A piercing scream shattered the tranquility of the Su family home.

The entire Su family was plunged into unprecedented panic.

The patriarch of the Su family, a great cultivator at the ninth level of Qi Refining, is the pillar that has enabled the entire family to stand firm.

Now, this pillar has collapsed without any warning.

"Who is it! Who is it!?"

The current head of the Su family was furious and terrified.

He wasn't hating the person who had killed his ancestor whom he had never met, but rather he was afraid that it was his ancestor's enemy coming to his door, and that the disaster of annihilation of the clan would be just around the corner!
The Su family trembled with fear, hiding their heads under their feathers like quails. They dared not flee rashly, nor did they want to be captured. They lived in constant terror.

Unbeknownst to them, in the shadows, a vast network of fungal carpets had already been observing their every move.

"Su Moyun's descendants are indeed honest."

Li Pingcan secretly observed for a while and found that the Su family was a rare family that was honest and focused on cultivating immortality. Or perhaps it was not appropriate to call them a family of cultivators, since apart from Su Moyun, there were no cultivators in the family, and they were mostly martial artists.

Cultivators are generally "cold-blooded and unfeeling" towards their descendants, so the Su family did not have deep feelings for their ancestor.

"If the Su family has no cultivators for three generations, then we can let the Su family off the hook."

Li Pingcan thought of it.

He said he wanted to eradicate the root of the problem, but to him, the ordinary people of the Su family weren't even considered weeds; at most, they were unsprouted seeds that would sway in the wind.

Moreover, no one knew that the Su family patriarch had died at his own hands.

On the contrary, completely eradicating a family from this area will undoubtedly attract the attention of countless people.

…………

The prefectural academy.

Li Mengze had just received the jade pendant delivered by a golden eagle sent by his father, and his heart was filled with warmth.

With a single thought, he knew the function of the jade pendant.

His face lit up with joy as he put the jade pendant close to his body. He felt a cool sensation flow through his entire body, which calmed his restless mood of the past few days.

'My father is so good to me, I should do something for the family too.'

He carefully packed up the dozen or so bottles of "Qingyuan Pills" he had refined over the past few days. After thinking for a moment, he did not stop there and went to the Sutra Repository.

The formula for "Qingyuan Dan" was handed over to the academy. Even though Zhang Ao was given an antidote instead, a considerable number of contribution points were still left. Combined with the points accumulated over the years, Li Mengze now possesses a particularly substantial amount of contribution points.

With some extra money at hand, the first thing that came to mind was to find a genuine sword cultivation technique for his younger brother, Mengjin.

Although my younger brother has the bloodline talent of "born with a sword", the Qi Refining Technique he is currently practicing is just a general technique. Although it is also a method of drawing Qi into the body and refining spiritual energy, it is not truly suitable for sword cultivators.

If this continues, we will only have a treasure trove but not know how to tap into it, thus wasting this one-in-a-million physical gift.

Father was often troubled by this matter, but the cultivation methods sold in the market for rogue cultivators were mediocre, like finding a needle in a haystack, and it was difficult to find a cultivation method suitable for Meng Jin.

The library is ancient and solemn.

An elderly man with white hair and beard sat at the entrance, dozing off. He was none other than Qingxuan, the guardian elder of the Scripture Pavilion.

It is said that this elder was eccentric, and ordinary disciples did not even have the courage to speak to him.

Li Mengze stepped forward and bowed respectfully, saying, "Disciple Li Mengze greets Elder Qingxuan."

Elder Qingxuan asked lazily, "What is it?"

"This disciple wishes to exchange for an introductory sword cultivation technique," Li Mengze said neither humbly nor arrogantly.

"Oh?"

Elder Qingxuan slowly opened his old eyes, looked him up and down, and his voice carried a hint of surprise.

"You're just a pill refiner kid, what are you doing dabbling in sword cultivation techniques? You're neglecting your proper duties. The path of sword cultivation is all about killing and killing, it emphasizes an indomitable spirit and an unyielding will. Not just any Tom, Dick, or Harry can practice it."

Elder Qingxuan made a few casual remarks, but did not offer any advice. In his youth, he was kind-hearted and liked to advise people to avoid detours, but in his old age, he emphasized "respecting the fate of others."

He said, "Let me see the contribution point token." When he saw the somewhat outrageous number on the token, a hint of surprise finally flashed in his usually calm old eyes.

"You're the kid who refined the 'Qingyuan Pill'?"

He stroked his beard, and the indifference on his face finally faded a bit. "Not bad, not bad. You're young, but you have outstanding talent in alchemy. Come with me."

Li Mengze was overjoyed and quickly followed.

Elder Qingxuan led him to a secluded bookshelf on the second floor of the Scripture Pavilion, where only a few ancient jade slips were displayed.

"In sword cultivation techniques, quality is more important than quantity. These three are the best three beginner sword cultivation techniques in the academy's collection. You can choose one yourself."

Elder Qingxuan waved his hand casually, and three jade slips floated in front of Li Mengze.

The first jade slip was entirely crimson and warm to the touch. When one probed it with their divine sense, a domineering and scorching sword intent rushed towards them.

The jade slip was engraved with four large, elegant characters: "The Blazing Sun Sword Cultivation Manual".

"This method is extremely powerful and yang; the sword strikes like the blazing sun in the sky, incinerating everything. Early progress is extremely rapid, and its power is immense. But..."

Elder Qingxuan paused for a moment, "Its nature is too fierce. If the cultivator's mind is not stable, it is very easy to be devoured by the sword intent and suffer from qi deviation."

The second jade slip was entirely black, emanating a chilling aura, and was inscribed with the "Mysterious Yin Manual".

The moment his divine sense made contact, Li Mengze felt a chilling killing intent spread through his consciousness, sending a shiver down his spine.

"This method follows a strange and unpredictable path of assassination. After practicing it, one's aura will become extremely concealed."

Li Mengze frowned subconsciously as he looked at the black jade slip.

Finally, he turned his gaze to the third jade slip.

This jade slip looks the most ordinary, made of the most common green bamboo, and even has some mottled marks of time on it.

But when Li Mengze held it in his hand, he felt a profound and peaceful aura that encompassed all things, which instantly calmed his mind, which had been somewhat agitated by the previous two sword intents.

The jade slip is engraved with four ancient seal characters: "Guiyuan Sword Scripture".

"This one..."

Elder Qingxuan looked at the bamboo scroll in Li Mengze's hand, his expression becoming somewhat complicated. "This is the orthodox sword cultivation method of the Xuanmen sect. It does not seek quick success, nor does it seek killing. It only seeks the two words 'returning to the origin.' It emphasizes the unity of sword and heart, the cultivation of both body and mind, transforming oneself into a sword sheath, nurturing the sword intent, and accumulating strength for a later release. Its path is the slowest and the most arduous, with no immediate results. But if one can persevere, the future is limitless."

Li Mengze did not hesitate at all.

"Elder, this disciple will choose the 'Return to Origin Sword Scripture'."

The "Blazing Sun Sword Technique" is too domineering and might fuel his arrogance; the "Mysterious Yin Technique" is too sinister and might lead him astray.

Only this book, "The Return to Origin Sword Scripture," is peaceful and balanced, emphasizing that cultivating the mind is the first step in cultivating the sword. It is perfect for refining his character and forging a truly indestructible sword heart and Dao embryo for him.

Upon hearing this, Elder Qingxuan finally revealed a satisfied smile on his stern old face.

"Good taste, good eye."

He stroked his beard and praised, "The greatest truths are the simplest, returning to one's true nature. Young man, you are even more insightful than I imagined."

Li Mengze respectfully handed over the contribution points to Elder Qingxuan. As he watched the number "two thousand points" suddenly disappear, he felt a pang of heartache for a moment, but it quickly turned into anticipation for Li Mengjin.

Arriving at the grove outside the academy, they placed the Guiyuan Sword Scripture and the Qingyuan Pill under the wings of the golden eagle.

"Little Fei," Li Mengze stroked the golden eagle's wing, "Have a safe journey."

…………

Peach Blossom Village, Peach Blossom Mountain.

Li Mengjin was holding the short sword "Shadow Fang" that was always with him.

Besides practicing swordsmanship, he also has a special "task" to complete every day - planting trees.

These were his father's instructions. Although he didn't understand the connection between practicing swordsmanship and planting trees, he would always listen to his father.

He carefully planted the last sapling into the soil, completing his goal for the day, when suddenly a cry rang out, and Xiao Fei flew in from the sky, dropping a package.

"Did my elder brother specially send this back from the academy?"

Li Mengjin was both surprised and delighted.

Not only did he have the "Qingyuan Pill" that could aid in cultivation, but he also had a book he had obtained with contribution points, the "Guiyuan Sword Scripture," which was specifically for sword cultivators to use for meditation.

'It must be tough for my brother at the academy.'

Li Mengjin gripped his sword tightly. 'Yet he still thinks of me constantly.'

He secretly vowed to master swordsmanship so that he could help his elder brother in the future.

The distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children, and the way the world sees them, are things he cannot change, but they do not diminish his admiration and gratitude for his elder brother.

He sat down cross-legged and began to circulate the "Return to Origin Sword Scripture".

This method can absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to the maximum extent and transform it into sharp sword essence, which is a perfect match for his "natural sword blade" physique.

After an hour of practice, feeling his meridians full, he drew out Shadow Fang and practiced the Thirteen Swords of Wind again and again.

Li Mengjin had already mastered the first five moves to perfection, and was now trying to comprehend the sixth move, "Returning Wind".

The sword light flickered erratically, like a chaotic wind in a valley, carrying an unpredictable trajectory.

When he was tired from training, he would take a Qingyuan Pill and feel warm all over. Li Mengjin secretly admired his elder brother's alchemy skills, which were even better than those of the Mu family alchemist in the prefecture.

At least other pills of the same level are no match for Qingyuan Pill.

Just as he was about to continue practicing his sword, Xiao Mengyue suddenly ran over, stretched out her chubby little hand, and said in a childish voice, "Brother, candy."

Li Mengjin was stunned. When he turned around, he was so frightened that he almost jumped out of his skin.

I saw my younger sister had opened the porcelain bottle at some point and was curiously putting a "Qingyuan Pill" the size of a longan into her mouth.

“Don’t eat it!”

Li Mengjin exclaimed in surprise and rushed forward to stop him, but it was too late.

Xiao Mengyue swallowed the pill like a candy with a "smack".

"It's over!"

Li Mengjin's mind went completely blank.

Although the "Qingyuan Pill" has very little toxicity, it is still a pill after all. How can my younger sister, at her current age, withstand such a powerful medicinal effect?
Just as he was at a loss, a warm hand gently pressed on his shoulder.

"Don't panic."

Li Pingcan had arrived at some point. He looked at Xiao Mengyue, whose face was rosy and who was even licking her lips with lingering enjoyment, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

He probed a wisp of natural power into his daughter's body, only to be surprised to find that the surging medicinal power was firmly enveloped by a gentle and cool moonlight power. Not only did it not cause any harm, but it was transformed into the purest energy, which was quickly absorbed by Xiao Mengyue's body.

The power of her "Moon Goddess Healing" bloodline was even stronger than before.

"This physique can even purify erysipelas?"

Li Pingcan was astonished by his daughter's extraordinary talent.

The Moon Goddess is terrifying beyond belief!
If she is not afraid of pill poison, wouldn't that mean that Mengyue can continuously refine her physique simply by taking pills without needing to meditate or cultivate?
Even if Li Mengyue didn't have spiritual roots, she could still find a way to nourish herself through "gluttony"!
(End of this chapter)