Druid Fairy

Chapter 158 Dream Trial
Time flies on the battlefield; several months have passed in the blink of an eye.

The border camp where Li Yuanhu was stationed was no longer in the chaos and decay it once was.

Xu Hanzhou was strict in his military discipline and clear in his rewards and punishments. After several brilliant ambush battles, he managed to suppress the arrogance of the "Crimson Flame Iron Cavalry" of the Great Qian Dynasty.

With frequent reports of victories, the morale of the Dayu army soared to unprecedented heights.

Li Yuanhu, from a fledgling captain, quickly rose to become well-known throughout the border region, expanding his troops to three thousand and becoming Xu Hanzhou's most trusted right-hand man.

That day, he had just returned from a meeting in the central command tent when Wang Lie, carrying the flaming greatsword, came to greet him with an excited expression.

"Yuanhu, have you heard? The higher-ups are going to give us the top credit!"

Wang Lie is now Li Yuanhu's most capable deputy general. "Lord Xu has already reported that you are 'brave and resourceful, a pillar of the nation'! Now, you're going to be on everyone's radar in the capital!"

"It was all earned with the lives of our brothers."

Li Yuanhu showed little joy. He looked at the endless military tents outside the camp and the faint beacon fires in the distance, and simply sighed softly.

There are never any true winners in war.

Behind every military achievement lies a mountain of bones.

Seeing his expression, Wang Lie's smile faded slightly. He patted Li Yuanhu on the shoulder and said in a deep voice, "I know what you're thinking, but this is the fate of us soldiers. If we don't kill more enemies, our own brothers will die, and our wives, children, and elderly parents will suffer as well. Yuanhu, you've done better than anyone else."

Li Yuanhu nodded, said no more, and simply turned his gaze to the distance.

He missed the hot noodle soup that Sun Zhi made by hand.

…………

Lingshan Cave is like spring all year round.

Li Pingcan sat cross-legged under the mulberry tree, focusing intently on his cultivation, without any distractions.

[You cast the first-level spell Plant Growth, proficiency +1, total proficiency 1999]

[You cast the first-circle spell Thunder Wave, proficiency +1, total proficiency 1999]

With two crisp beeps, he slowly opened his eyes, a satisfied smile appearing on his face.

"Finally, everything is at the maximum level."

The descriptions of the two skills on the panel have been completely revamped.

[Plant Growth (Level 1, Max): You can freely cultivate the vast majority of ordinary plants. You also gain the max-level trait: Spirit Plant Enlightenment.]

[Spirit Plant Enlightenment: You can consume a large amount of natural mana to "enlighten" a plant with potential, forcibly raising its grade, and with a very low chance of causing it to undergo a benign mutation, transforming it into a true "Spirit Plant".]

[Thunder Wave (Level 1, Max): Your thunder shockwaves have a wider range and greater power. Also gains the max-level trait: Paralyzing Shockwave.]

[Paralysis Shock: Targets struck by the Thunder Wave will not only be forcibly repelled, but will also be briefly paralyzed, their bodies going limp and their mana sluggish, lasting one to three breaths.]

In addition, his earliest zero-ring spell, [Breath of the Tree], has finally reached true perfection through years of diligent practice.

[Tree Breathing (Zero Ring): You have completely integrated this technique with yourself. With each breath you take, you engage in the deepest energy exchange with nature. Gain max-level trait: Evergreen]

[Evergreen: You have achieved complete harmony with nature, greatly increasing your lifespan. Your appearance will remain unchanged at your current age, and you will retain your youth forever until your lifespan is exhausted.]

Feeling the boundless power within his body, which seemed to connect him to the entire sacred mountain, Li Pingcan felt incredibly relaxed and at ease.

The gains he made during these months of seclusion far exceeded his expectations.

Not only has his cultivation level stabilized at the peak of the sixth level of Qi Refining, ready to break through to the later stage at any time, but his physical body has also become increasingly resilient under the nourishment of the massive amount of demonic beast flesh and blood.

What surprised him even more was the change in the jade dream.

As the Li family lineage spreads, especially with the robust growth of the three little ones, Li Mengze, Li Mengjin, and Li Mengyue, their spiritual power, like invisible streams, continuously flows into this spiritual home, making the entire dream world increasingly solid and stable.

The white jade lotus in the center of the lake has already blossomed with five lotus leaves, and its holy radiance envelops the entire lake surface, transforming this dreamlike scene into a true paradise.

"It's almost time."

Li Pingcan's heart stirred; his control over the Jade Dream had reached a completely new level.

Previously, he could only passively receive the children's emotions or give them simple "dreams".

Now, he felt as if he had become the true "creator" of this dream world.

He can, through his own will, create a unique "testing ground" for the children here!
…………

The prefectural academy was quiet and still in the dead of night.

Li Mengze lay in bed and quickly fell asleep.

When he opened his eyes again, the familiar emerald green world did not appear; instead, he saw a strange valley he had never seen before.

Within the valley, exotic flowers and rare herbs abounded, and the forms of many plants were more ancient and mysterious than anything he had ever seen in any ancient book.

Beside a small, crystal-clear grass, as if sculpted from ice and jade, wisps of cold air lingered.

Not far away, a flower burning with pale golden flames was quietly blooming, scorching the surrounding air until it was slightly distorted.

"here it is……"

Li Mengze's eyes were filled with shock and ecstasy.

This is practically a paradise for alchemists tailor-made for him!
Welcome to the 'Herbal Spirit Realm,' your exclusive trial ground.

A gentle thought flowed through Li Mengze's mind.

"It's...it's Senior Dream!"

Li Mengze did not inquire about the origin of this spiritual realm; he simply bowed respectfully to the void.

This must be an opportunity prepared for him by that mysterious "dream senior".

[Trial Mission: Refine the 'Yin-Yang Reversal Pill'.]

A prescription for medicine, shimmering with a faint light, appeared out of thin air before him.

Li Mengze leaned forward, and after just one glance, he gasped in shock.

"The ultimate yang of the 'Nine Yang Grass' combined with the ultimate yin of the 'Mysterious Nether Flower'? This... how is this possible!?"

He had seen most of the dozens of medicinal herbs required in the prescription in ancient books, but the two main ingredients were natural enemies.

The Nine Yang Grass grows in the crater of a volcano. It is entirely crimson and has an explosive medicinal effect.

The Xuanming Flower grows in the cold pools of the Nine Netherworlds. Its petals are like ice crystals, and its medicinal properties are cold and piercing.

Putting two medicines with completely opposite effects into a furnace is not alchemy, it's furnace explosion!
Li Mengze said no more, took a deep breath, and began searching for the medicinal herbs he needed in this boundless medicinal field.

On his first attempt, he carefully threw the powder of the Nine Yang Grass into the alchemy furnace, but the explosive medicinal power instantly ignited the furnace fire, and the entire furnace emitted a mournful "hum".

The second time, he tried to neutralize it with the cold energy of the Xuanming Flower. As a result, the moment the two energies came into contact, it was like a clash between ice and fire, directly blasting the alchemy furnace into a colorful firework.

"No, this can't go on."

With his curly hair blackened by smoked smoke, Li Mengze took out paper and pen and began to carefully record and analyze.

"The Nine Yang Grass is fiery and ignites when exposed to fire. The Xuanming Flower is cold and melts when heated. Simply suppressing or neutralizing them will only make them rebound more violently. It's better to guide than to block... guide..."

A flash of inspiration struck him, and he suddenly remembered the general principles of the "Five Elements Play" that his father had once taught him. "Water and fire complement each other, earth and wood generate each other... I've got it!"

He slapped his thigh suddenly, looking excited.

On the third time he opened the furnace, he was no longer in a hurry to fuse the two main ingredients. Instead, he first took the "Thick Earth Ganoderma," which had the mildest nature, ground it into powder, and used its earth element power of carrying all things to build a small "transfer station" in the furnace.

Only then did he carefully guide the two medicinal powers, like two reluctant dragons, into his body, thread by thread.

"Buzz!"

The alchemy furnace shook violently again, but this time, it did not explode.

The two violent medicinal powers, under the harmonization of Hou Tu Zhi, miraculously reached a delicate balance.

Fine beads of sweat appeared on Li Mengze's forehead. He pushed his divine sense to its limit, carefully maintaining this hard-won balance, while his mind remained completely clear.

After an unknown amount of time, when the last trace of medicinal power was perfectly integrated, a strange fragrance of elixir wafted out from the furnace.

Dan Cheng!

From then on, Li Mengze's nights included a secret "spiritual practice".

In the "Herbal Paradise" of his dream, he could freely pick those legendary herbs and make the boldest attempts.

Failure is merely a matter of mental and physical exhaustion, which can be recovered with a good night's sleep. But success brings tangible gains in understanding pharmacology and enlightenment in alchemy.

…………

Peach Blossom Village, behind the mountain.

Li Mengjin was facing a waterfall cascading down from the sky with a bitter and resentful expression, waving his "Shadow Fang".

"This sword technique is really hard to master!"

As he practiced his sword, he mentally complained, "I've been practicing for almost a year, and I still can't even split a rock. It's not as good as Brother Yuanhu's fists!"

Little did he know that the Guiyuan Sword Scripture was all about accumulating knowledge and experience before unleashing its full potential. His daily arduous training had already honed his swordsmanship foundation to an incredibly solid level.

That night, he once again entered that familiar ruin as promised.

"here we go again!"

Looking at the blurry figure wielding a lightsaber, Li Mengjin felt no fear whatsoever. Instead, he excitedly licked his lips, his eyes blazing with fighting spirit.

"You arrogant bastard, I'm going to beat you to a pulp today!"

In this trial ground known as the "Ancient Ruins," the tireless sword cultivator's divine sense had long since become his best sparring partner.

"The Thirteen Swords of Wind Return, Sixth Form: Returning Wind!"

His divine sense remained unchanged from its age, its starting stance still the same as ever. The sword light flickered, like a gazelle hanging by its horns, leaving no trace.

But Li Mengjin had already mastered his swordsmanship perfectly.

"Watch this! Seventh move: Rock Crack!"

He shouted loudly, neither dodging nor avoiding, but instead met the attack head-on!
The "Shadow Fang" in his hand brought with it an unstoppable and domineering momentum. On the blade of the sword, there was even a faint sound of wind and thunder. It was the most powerful offensive move in the Thirteen Swords of Wind Return!
"Qiang!"

As the two swords clashed, Li Mengjin felt a tremendous force and was forced to retreat repeatedly. However, the figure of the divine sense was also forced back half a step by his fearless sword strike!
"There is a way!"

Li Mengjin was overjoyed and his offensive became even more fierce.

He incorporated the principles of "using softness to overcome hardness and borrowing force to strike" that he had recently learned from his father into his sword techniques.

Sometimes it is like a tiger descending the mountain, fierce and unparalleled; other times it is like a nimble ape climbing a tree, unpredictable and cunning.

The "program" of that divine thought had clearly never seen such an unconventional fighting style before, and its fixed sword moves froze for the first time.

"Right now!"

Li Mengjin seized this fleeting opening and thrust out his sword!

"Pfft!"

With a soft sound, the "Shadow Fang" in his hand pierced Shen Nian's chest with perfect precision.

The divine figure shook violently for a moment, then slowly nodded at him, seemingly in approval, before turning into countless points of light and disappearing without a trace.

Li Mengjin stared blankly at the sword in his hand, momentarily unable to believe it.

I...I won?

An unprecedented surge of joy instantly overwhelmed him.

…………

The inner courtyard of the Li family mansion.

"The lady is missing!"

"Quickly tell Third Sister, Miss has disappeared again!"

Seeing the maids leave in a panic, Li Mengyue emerged from the artificial hill, chuckling, still clutching a large frog with an injured leg.

She stretched out her chubby little hand and gently pressed it on the frog's leg.

Beneath the small hand, a soft, moon-white light, like flowing moonlight, slowly seeped into the frog's wound.

The originally bloody and mangled wound began to heal at a speed visible to the naked eye.

A moment later, the frog croaked and became lively again, hopping and skipping away into the grass.

"whee."

Li Mengyue smiled happily, revealing two small tiger teeth.

These days, she enters a wonderful dream every night.

In my dream, there is a clear spring that always radiates the gentle moonlight.

She always played and bathed in the spring water, and the cool spring water always made her feel extremely comfortable and at ease.

She gradually discovered that she seemed to be able to control the moonlight-like spring water to heal the injured little animals in her dreams.

Although she didn't know what it meant, the feeling of being able to help others brought her immense joy.

This trial ground, known as the "Spring of the Moon Goddess," guided her in the gentlest way to awaken and take control of her innate healing and purifying power.

…………

Li Pingcan stood in front of the cave, watching everything quietly through the Emerald Dream, a fatherly smile of satisfaction on his face.

"Little ones, don't let your father down."

He muttered to himself, "This world is still very vast. The road ahead is still long."

The shadow of war still looms over this land, and the struggle for survival of the fittest seems never to end.

(End of this chapter)