Druid Fairy

Chapter 152 Third Place in the Martial Arts Examination
Ordinary cultivators, even those who are chosen by heaven, must proceed with extreme caution on their path of cultivation, as if walking on thin ice.

Although the elixir is good, each time it is taken, it is a test of one's Dao foundation.

Over time, the accumulation of erysipelas can lead to stagnation in cultivation, or even damage to one's foundation and demonic possession.

But my own daughter...

This is hardly the cultivation of immortality.

This is clearly cheating!
What kind of immortal manifestation can you achieve if you don't have the money to cultivate?

With enough resources, theoretically, he could completely "feed" his daughter into a peerless master with unfathomable cultivation!

In the days that followed, Li Pingcan began his daughter-raising plan.

He started with the mildest, ungraded Qi and Blood Pills, taking one a day and carefully observing his daughter's reaction.

Li Mengyue smacked her lips, eating with great relish. Apart from letting out a spirited burp, she felt no discomfort whatsoever.

Li Pingcan felt relieved and gradually became bolder.

Spirit Nourishing Pill, Body Strengthening Pill, Mind Clearing Pill... he gave his daughter all sorts of first-tier pills in different ways.

Li Mengyue accepted everything offered, ate with gusto, and was in excellent health. Her delicate, fair face appeared even more rosy and adorable.

Her power and magic increased rapidly under this kind of "cramming" approach.

Two years have passed in the blink of an eye.

Three-year-old Li Mengyue, after being "fed" various elixirs, had accumulated a terrifying amount of magical power and vital energy within her body.

Although she didn't yet know how to use it, this power was truly hidden within her small body.

The seemingly harmless little baby has actually become a complete "numerical monster".

This day, in the backyard of the Li family.

Li Yuanhu was shirtless, sweating profusely, performing a set of Tiger-style boxing with fierce power and domineering momentum.

"Brother, you're amazing!"

Li Mengyue ran over with her short legs, clapping her little hands and cheering.

"That's natural!"

Li Yuanhu wiped his sweat, looked at his most beloved younger sister, and smiled indulgently. "With Tiger's strength, I'll protect you from now on. No one will dare to bully you!"

“Okay, brother, play games with me!” Li Mengyue tilted her head. “If I win, you have to buy me that little pet and keep it in your yard.”

The "pet" Li Mengyue mentioned was actually a giant python about ten feet long, a rare and precious beast. Xie Yuan initially approved of her youngest daughter's desire to keep a pet, but when she learned that Li Mengyue wanted to keep a python, she was terrified and firmly refused.

Li Yuanhu had no idea where his little cousin got so many strange hobbies. She didn't like rabbits or raccoons, but insisted on keeping snakes, frogs, lizards, etc., which were completely different from the hobbies of ordinary girls.

But she didn't refuse, and asked with a smile, "What game?"

"Arm wrestling, let's see who's stronger!"

Li Yuanhu was taken aback, then burst into laughter: "With your little arms and legs, you think you can outmuscle me? I'm afraid I might accidentally break you."

"Then you can let me have my way. You can use one finger, and I'll use both hands." Li Mengyue pouted. "Brother, are you afraid?"

"Who says I don't dare!" Li Yuanhu laughed nonchalantly. "Come on then! But it's a deal, you can't cry if you lose!"

He smiled and extended a finger, gently hooking it around his sister's palm.

"I'll let you use your strength first!"

"it is good!"

Li Mengyue responded in a childish voice, her pink face showing an extremely serious expression as she took a long breath.

"Hoohoo!"

Just as Li Yuanhu thought she was about to unleash her power, Li Mengyue suddenly pointed behind him and exclaimed in a clear voice, "Oh! Brother, look! My father is back!"

Li Yuanhu subconsciously turned around.

It's that moment of relaxation!
A smug glint flashed in Li Mengyue's eyes. She suddenly exerted her strength, and the power accumulated in her body instantly erupted!

"Eh?!"

Li Yuanhu felt a tremendous force coming from his finger, and his finger was actually bent over!

He was a little dazed, looking at his younger sister who was covering her mouth and giggling, his face full of astonishment and disbelief.

'I...I actually lost to a three-year-old toddler?'

Ignoring all of that, Li Mengyue triumphantly announced, "Brother lost!"

"Big brother, who told you to look down on Mengyue? You were too careless and ended up getting caught off guard!"

Li Yuanxi, who was doing the accounting, could no longer hold back and burst into laughter.

Li Yuanhu dotes on his younger sister, but he's ruthless towards his younger brother. He slapped Li Yuanxi on the forehead and said, "Let you show off, what does it have to do with you?"

Then he looked at Li Mengyue again, and thought to himself, "No wonder she is Uncle San's biological daughter."

All these unexpected excellences seem quite reasonable!

…………

Inside the quiet room of the Li family.

A heavy, mountain-like aura slowly emanated from Li Pingfu's body.

He sat cross-legged, his eyes closed, his face expressionless, as if he had become one with the world around him.

For a martial artist, forty-two years old is past the golden age when their energy and blood are at their peak.

However, Li Pingfu's vital energy was still as powerful as a river, even more refined than when he was young.

This is thanks to his decades of arduous practice, his insights into the Five Spirits Play and the Soul Wood, and the continuous support of elixirs.

Now, he has finally reached the threshold of that peak.

"break!"

With a low shout, his dantian trembled violently, and his internal energy began to transform at an incredible speed!
A faint layer of iridescent light appeared on the surface of his body.

Finally, when that drop of true essence completely solidified, a terrifying pressure far exceeding that of the innate level erupted from his body!

Divine Martial Realm, achieved!

Feeling the harmonious and ever-flowing power within his body, Li Pingfu's face showed no joy, but rather a faint sense of bewilderment.

"Is this the Divine Martial Realm?"

He stepped out of the quiet room and encountered Li Pingcan, who was enjoying tea in the courtyard.

"Congratulations, brother, on reaching the pinnacle of martial arts." Li Pingcan smiled and poured him a cup of tea.

“The pinnacle of martial arts…” Li Pingfu took the teacup and smiled bitterly, “But I feel like there is no way forward…”

The feeling was like climbing to the top of a mountain, looking out at the vast sea of ​​clouds, but finding no higher place to go.

Emptiness, and powerlessness.

"Who said there's no road?"

Li Pingcan put down his teacup. "Brother, have you ever heard of the ancient masters who cultivated their bodies to become saints, their fists shattering the void? Mortal martial arts can only reach the level of divine martial arts. But why should we, brothers, choose the path of the mortal world?"

Without spiritual energy, one cannot become a body-refining cultivator, because ancient body-refining cultivators, while tempering their physical bodies, also relied on spiritual energy as their source of power.

However, entering the Dao through martial arts is equivalent to creating a new system and realm.

Li Pingcan admits that his martial arts comprehension is mediocre. His current achievements are all based on the druid's perception and observation of the world, which is equivalent to "cheating". Therefore, he cannot create a new system. However, his elder brother Li Pingfu and nephew Li Yuanhu may not be so bad!
Hearing Li Pingcan's words, Li Pingfu's confidence was rekindled.

This is generally true of the world: the more you think, the less you do, and the more lost you become in life.

No one knows what lies ahead.

It's better to trust your own brothers and go all the way down this path. No matter the outcome, it will be a memorable experience.

…………

Several months later, in Songling Prefecture, the provincial military examination was held.

Martial arts talents from all counties of the prefecture gathered here, eager to win the championship and make a name for themselves.

Li Yuanhu stood calmly among the crowd, his gaze sweeping over the examiners on the high platform, then at his two most eye-catching rivals beside him, already having made his plans.

Both of them were promising talents from well-known "immortal martial arts" backgrounds within the state capital.

On the left is Wang Lie, a direct disciple of the "Lieshan Martial Arts School".

He was tall and wore a bright red outfit, carrying a large, exaggeratedly designed sword.

To the right is Liu Xu, the successor of the "Listening to the Rain Sword Pavilion".

He wore a blue robe and carried an ancient longsword on his back. He had a handsome face and an elegant demeanor, but occasionally a hint of femininity would flash in his narrow eyes.

These two are not only the favorites to win the martial arts competition, but also have powerful backgrounds, and are Li Yuanhu's biggest rivals.

"clang!"

The gong sounded, and the competition began.

"The first challenge: a long and arduous journey with heavy loads!"

At the examiner's command, all the candidates shouldered iron sandbags weighing 300 jin (150 kg) and began their 100-li (50 km) trek.

The two men took the lead, their steps light and agile, far ahead of the pack. Li Yuanhu, on the other hand, followed at a leisurely pace in the second group, his breathing steady and his rhythm unwavering, as if he were carrying a bag of cotton rather than three hundred pounds of iron shot on his back.

He kept his third uncle's instructions firmly in mind: hide your strength.

The Li family no longer needs another ambitious "top performer"; what it needs is a "foundation" who can steadily and firmly take root in the military.

Being number one is too eye-catching and makes one a target of criticism.

It needs to be just right—enough to showcase your strength and gain attention, but not so much that you become too conspicuous and attract unnecessary trouble.

In the following matches, Li Yuanhu perfectly implemented this strategy.

In archery, he only managed to hit nine rings.

He was moderate in his use of weapons.

The final showdown was fast approaching.

"Li Yuanhu, right?"

Wang Lie, carrying his flaming greatsword, grinned. "You're quite interesting, much better than those cowards. Come on, let me see if you're stronger, or if my Blazing Sun Blade is more domineering!"

Without uttering a single word, he swung his broadsword and brought it down on Li Yuanhu's head.

Li Yuanhu's footwork shifted, displaying the agility of an ape and the lightness of a crane, leaving afterimages on the arena as he effortlessly weaved through the seemingly unavoidable blade strikes.

"Huh?" Wang Lie was taken aback. He hadn't expected that this guy, who seemed to only know how to use brute force, would have such strange movement techniques.

His swordsmanship became increasingly ferocious, engulfing the entire arena.

Li Yuanhu, however, was like a small boat in a stormy sea, seemingly teetering on the brink of capsizing, yet always managing to narrowly avoid fatal attacks at the most crucial moments.

After a stick of incense.

Wang Lie gradually felt his strength waning, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. Although his swordsmanship was fierce, it also consumed a great deal of his energy. Just as he was about to fight to the death, Li Yuanhu swayed, revealing an opening, which Wang Lie seized and forced off the stage with a single strike.

"Accepted."

Wang Lie breathed a sigh of relief. His victory was hard-won, and he was no longer as arrogant as before. Sweat was on his forehead, and bruises were left on his arms.

This was only because the other party held back.

If Li Yuanhu is willing to pay any price and trade injuries for injuries, I may not be able to win.

Li Yuanhu clasped his hands in a fist and smiled.

This outcome was intentional on his part.

What the Li family needs is not a moment of triumph, but a long-term, stable legacy.

"This young man from the Li family has a solid foundation, but his temperament is too stable, lacking the vigor of a young man."

On the high platform, the chief examiner stroked his beard and commented, his tone carrying a hint of appreciation, as well as a subtle, almost imperceptible, sense of regret.

Li Yuanhu disagreed with these words.

Time has passed, and my second uncle's success in the imperial examinations was due to his ambition and unwavering determination. Because at that time, the Li family needed someone to step forward and make a name for themselves.

But things are different now. We don't need to be competitive or take unnecessary risks.

Sharpness?

That thing is for the real enemy.

He bowed respectfully to the examiner, his face showing just the right amount of honor.

He felt perfectly justified in receiving the title of third place in the martial arts examination.

…………

Before the commotion of the county-level martial arts examination had subsided, and before Li Yuanhu could even step off the stage, he was surrounded by a group of "matchmakers" who had come to hear about it.

"Oh dear! My beloved eldest son of the Li family!"

When Wang the matchmaker came in, her voice was so shrill it could pierce the sky.

"Look at your physique, your bearing, your imposing presence! I've been a matchmaker my whole life, and I've never seen such a dashing young man as you!"

As she spoke, she led Li Yuanhu toward her home, saying, "Come, come, come and meet our young lady. Our Lord Zhou said he admires you immensely and is willing to betroth his precious daughter to you. If you just nod your head, the dowry will surely stretch from the east side of the city to the west side!"

Li Yuanhu was completely bewildered by this sudden turn of events.

From childhood to adulthood, he had only ever practiced martial arts and eaten; he had never dealt with such a situation before. He felt extremely uncomfortable.

"This...this isn't appropriate..." Li Yuanhu scratched his head, and after a long pause, he finally managed to squeeze out this sentence.

"Oh my! What's wrong with it? They're a perfect match, a match made in heaven!"

Seeing that there was a chance, the matchmaker Wang became even more enthusiastic, "Our young lady is proficient in all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. She is gentle and virtuous, and is most worthy of a hero like you!"

The surrounding people also joined in the commotion.

"Young Master Li is so lucky! This is Lord Zhou's daughter!"

"Exactly! With a father-in-law like that, I'll have nothing to worry about for the rest of my life."

In an instant, compliments, envy, and jeers overwhelmed Li Yuanhu like a tidal wave.

He was a master who had achieved mastery through his own efforts, and he hadn't even flinched in the face of danger, but now fine beads of sweat were appearing on his forehead.

She wanted to refuse, but looking at the Zhou family's enormous entourage, she just couldn't bring herself to say it.

If this is not handled properly, it will not only offend Lord Zhou, but also make people think that the Li family has become arrogant and ungrateful after achieving some success.

Just as he was caught in a dilemma, a clear and gentle voice rang out.

"My nephew is naughty, please excuse him."

Li Ping'an had arrived at the scene at some point, with a gentle smile on his face and a composed demeanor, exuding an air of authority that commanded respect.

"Second uncle!"

Upon seeing his savior, Li Yuanhu felt an immense sense of relief.

When Wang the matchmaker and the Zhou family steward saw Li Ping'an, their expressions softened, and they quickly bowed in greeting.

Li Ping'an first cupped his hands in the direction of the Zhou family and said with a smile, "Lord Zhou's kindness is deeply appreciated by the entire Li family. However..."

He changed the subject, a perfectly timed look of embarrassment and apology on his face, "It's just that Yuanhu's marriage has already been decided by his elders, and we really don't dare to ruin Miss Zhou's good match."

"What? It was already decided?" Matchmaker Wang was taken aback.

"Exactly."

Li Ping'an continued without batting an eye, "Yuanhu and a senior sister from the martial arts school, Sister Sun, have been childhood sweethearts. My elder brother and sister-in-law, seeing that they are deeply in love, have already secretly exchanged their marriage certificates, waiting only for Yuanhu to come of age before arranging their marriage. Although this matter has not been announced to outsiders, it is already common knowledge within the clan. We appreciate Lord Zhou's kind intentions, but matters of marriage ultimately follow the principle of first come, first served. We hope Lord Zhou will understand."

His words were perfectly watertight.

He both praised the Zhou family and pointed out his own family's situation, and used the most irrefutable reason, "the order of the elders," to deflect the matter.

Although the Zhou family steward and Wang the matchmaker were unwilling, they could not find any reason to refute it. They couldn't force the other party to break off the engagement, could they?

If word gets out, wouldn't they become a tyrant who forcibly abducts men?
They could only force a smile, say a few polite words like "What a pity" and "We were too hasty," and then slunk away with their men.

…………

On the carriage returning to the city.

"Second Uncle, you're amazing! You got rid of them with just a few words!"

“You…” Li Pingan shook his head helplessly, “There will be many more things like this in the future. You still have a lot to learn.”

"Second Uncle, I don't quite understand."

Li Yuanhu scratched his head, "Didn't you also marry into the Mu family? Why is it that when it comes to me..."

He wanted to know why his elders didn't seem to care whether he could marry into a powerful family.

Upon hearing this, Li Ping'an's smile became gentle and profound.

He watched the scenery rushing past the car window in silence for a long time before slowly speaking, his voice carrying a hint of reminiscence.

"Tiger Cub, do you know why I am marrying a girl from the Mu family?"

Li Yuanhu shook his head.

"Because the Li family wasn't strong enough back then."

Li Ping'an's voice was soft, yet carried a heavy weight. "We are like a seedling just breaking through the soil, needing external help to stand firm in the wind and rain. Marrying into a powerful family is for connections, for resources, and to allow our Li family to escape the fate of being at the mercy of others as quickly as possible. The 'lack of freedom' of our generation is to exchange for the 'freedom' of your generation to have choices. Of course, I have never regretted your second sister-in-law's gentle and considerate nature."

These words stunned Li Yuanhu.

That seemingly self-evident "freedom" turned out to be so hard-won.

A surge of warmth welled up in Li Yuanhu's heart, and his eyes stung with tears.

"Second Uncle..." His voice choked with emotion.

"Alright, you're a grown man, stop acting like a girl."

Li Ping'an patted his shoulder with a smile, then changed the subject and joked, "But speaking of which, when are you and that girl from the Sun family going to give me a straight answer? Your third uncle has been nagging me about it several times."

"Cough cough!"

Li Yuanhu blushed crimson at the sudden teasing and waved his hands repeatedly, "Second Uncle! You...you don't listen to Third Uncle's nonsense! Senior Sister...she hasn't told me to come and meet her father yet!"

(End of this chapter)