Druid Fairy

Chapter 167 Peach Blossom Guard
But this is not enough.

He returned to the Li residence and found the second-tier array diagram of the [Nine Yang Refining Spirit Array].

This formation uses nine as its extreme, drawing upon the true fire of the sun above the nine heavens. It can not only gather spiritual energy but also refine all things, combining offense and defense, making it incomparably domineering.

However, this formation is too complex, and with his current cultivation level, the risk of failure if he tries to use it directly is extremely high.

Li Pingcan simply used his spiritual energy to create a huge sand table, miniaturizing the entire topography of Peach Blossom Mountain within it.

He then used different spirit stones to replace the array flag nodes.

Sitting cross-legged in front of the sand table, he immersed himself in the task and began to repeatedly deduce every change of the [Nine Yang Refining Spirit Array] on the small sand table.

Once, twice, a hundred times, a thousand times...

He meticulously memorized every detail of the formation to ensure absolute success.

The flickering candlelight cast a long shadow of his focused figure.

…………

Master Li's fame spread throughout the capital, and Peach Blossom Village became a renowned feng shui treasure land.

Every day, curious onlookers peek out from the village entrance, hoping to catch a whiff of the mystical aura.

Even worse, some sneak up Peach Blossom Mountain at night, intending to steal a few peach trees to take back and plant.

These people were naturally given a good "treat" by [Azure Ghost Thorn] and [Three Mysterious Paralysis Flower]. The next day, they were thrown down the mountain with bruises and swelling and no strength. No one dared to offend them again.

But alarm bells were ringing in Li Pingcan's mind.

For now, they are just ordinary people, whom we can handle. But as the Li family's reputation grows, it's hard to guarantee that it won't attract cultivators with ulterior motives.

Relying solely on the flowers and plants you've planted is ultimately a passive defense.

Every husband is not guilty, and he is guilty of his crime.

The Li family has become somewhat ostentatious these days.

"It seems that relying solely on formations and traps is not enough; we must have our own armed forces."

"It's time to build an armed force that belongs to the Li family."

Once the thought came to mind, it could no longer be suppressed.

After discussing it for a while, Li Rongzhou had no objections, and Li Pingfu also agreed upon hearing about it.

They immediately issued a notice in the name of the Li clan.

The Li family formed a mountain protection team called the "Peach Blossom Guard".

Those selected will not only receive superior martial arts personally taught by the Li family, but will also have the opportunity to obtain elixirs from the Li family's immortal master!
"Have you heard? The Immortal Master is forming a mountain protection team! Anyone selected will receive the Immortal Master's personally taught cultivation techniques, as well as miraculous elixirs!"

"My God! This is an incredible opportunity! Isn't this a hundred times better than joining the army in the prefecture?"

"Don't try to take it from me! My dad used to clear land with Old Master Li. When it comes to loyalty, who can compare to our family!"

The villagers spread the news excitedly, each one as if they had been injected with adrenaline. The boys, in particular, put all their strength into it, huffing and puffing as they lifted stone weights, punching and kicking in their yards, making a final sprint, afraid of missing this life-changing opportunity.

Their parents repeatedly urged them to perform well the next day and not to miss this opportunity to leap over the dragon gate.

The current village chief, Li Xiaoshan, was so excited that he couldn't sleep all night.

He was busy running around taking care of everything, and his voice became hoarse from shouting.

"Listen up, everyone! The Immortal Master is giving us a huge honor by choosing people! Anyone who dares to cheat or have any crooked thoughts will be punished without mercy. I'll break their legs and expel them from Peach Blossom Village!"

He knew perfectly well that without the Li family, he, the village chief, was nothing.

The more prosperous the Li family became, the more secure his position became.

He must cherish this kindness and opportunity.

…………

Meanwhile, at the Yunshui County Martial Arts School, a huge uproar ensued.

"It's the Li family! The Li family is selecting bodyguards!"

The martial arts school's students were so excited they roared with excitement.

Sun Zheng is now the senior disciple of the martial arts school. He has a muscular body and his fists are steady and powerful. He is no longer the naive boy he once was.

Upon hearing the news, he immediately summoned all his fellow disciples without saying a word.

"The Li family has shown us a life-saving grace!"

Sun Zheng's voice was strong and clear, his eyes filled with reverence. "Without the Li family, there would be no Sun Zheng today, and no martial arts school! This selection is the best opportunity for us to repay their kindness! Everyone, give it your all! If anyone dares to slack off, don't blame my fists for being merciless!"

If it weren't for Li Pingcan's guidance and the medicine he gave him back then, he would still be a poor boy from a poor family, and he wouldn't have achieved what he has today.
"Yes, Senior Brother!" the disciples roared in unison, their fighting spirit soaring.

…………

The martial arts training ground at the foot of Peach Blossom Mountain was packed with people.

Li Pingcan, accompanied by Li Mengjin and Li Mengyue, sat high on the platform.

Li Mengjin's eyes gleamed, while Li Mengyue sat on a small chair, swinging her short legs, her bright black eyes scanning everyone below.

Li Pingcan looked at the eager and nervous young faces below.

"My Li family's mountain protection team doesn't seek a large number of people, but only excellent ones. Loyalty, perseverance, and comprehension are all indispensable. Today, I have set three tests, and those who can pass them will be the first batch of members of my mountain protection team."

As soon as he finished speaking, he waved his hand gently.

"Boom!"

The ground trembled slightly, and a winding, endless path paved with bluestone suddenly rose from the open space in front of everyone.

The path was shrouded in mist, exuding a chilling atmosphere.

"The first hurdle is to examine your own heart."

Li Pingcan's voice carried a hint of mystery, "This path tests your conscience. Along the way, there may be gold and silver, beauty, or enemies. Those who succumb to greed and stray from the right path will be eliminated. Those who succumb to fear and retreat halfway will be eliminated. Now, let's begin."

The group looked at each other in bewilderment. This first challenge sounded mysterious; wasn't it just about walking a path?

A burly young man with an impatient temperament was the first to rush forward, but as soon as he stepped onto the bluestone path, his eyes suddenly turned bloodshot, as if he had seen some deep-seated hatred. With a roar, he abandoned the path and rushed into the thick fog beside him, disappearing instantly, leaving only a scream.

Everyone felt a chill run down their spines, realizing just how terrifying this "Path of Inquiry" truly was.

Sun Zheng took a deep breath, his eyes resolute, and became the second person to step onto the path.

The moment you set off, the scenery around you changes instantly.

With mountains of gold and seas of silver piled up at his feet, stunning beauties throwing themselves into his arms, and his former enemies kneeling and begging for mercy... all sorts of illusions constantly assaulted his mind.

Sun Zheng silently remembered the kindness of the Li family, bit his tongue to keep the last bit of clarity in his mind, and walked forward steadily, step by step, without looking to the side.

On the high platform, Li Mengyue suddenly tugged at Li Pingcan's sleeve and pointed at Sun Zheng: "Daddy, that big uncle has such a warm and clean light on him!"

Upon hearing this, Li Pingcan smiled and patted his daughter's head.

As expected of someone with the talent of the Moon Goddess's Spring, they can directly "see" the light in people's hearts.

An hour later, the first stage ended, and the team of nearly two hundred people was reduced to less than sixty.

Those who were eliminated were all dejected, clearly revealing their true nature in the illusion.

"Very good." Li Pingcan nodded, looking at the remaining sixty-odd people, a hint of approval in his eyes. "The second test, Dragon's Might."

As soon as he finished speaking, he snapped his fingers in the direction of the Lingshan Cave.

"Roar!"

A deafening dragon roar suddenly came from the depths of the valley!

A terrifying pressure originating from ancient bloodlines, like a tangible tide, instantly swept across the entire area!
It was the Azure Dragon, which, under Li Pingcan's orders, reluctantly released a trace of its dragon might within its cave.

Everyone in the arena felt an irresistible force pressing down on them, as if they were carrying a mountain on their backs. Their legs went weak, and most of them knelt down with a thud, their faces pale and their bodies trembling like leaves.

"If you can stand for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, you've passed the test."

Li Pingcan's voice rang out again.

Sun Zheng's eyes widened, his bones creaking. He plunged the long sword at his waist into the ground, using all his strength to support his body, letting cold sweat soak through his clothes and his teeth clench until they bled, but he stubbornly refused to let his knees bend even an inch.

'How could I, Sun Zheng, be intimidated by such mere intimidation!'

Time passed slowly, and for those in the room, every breath felt like a year.

When the incense stick burned out and the dragon's might dissipated, only a mere thirty-odd people remained standing, with Sun Zheng prominently among them.

"Not bad." Li Pingcan's gaze swept over the group of thirty-odd people, and a satisfied smile appeared on his face.

He walked up to the crowd, flicked his finger, and the small porcelain bottle flew precisely into their hands.

"This is a Body Tempering Pill. Take it; it will benefit you."

Everyone was overjoyed upon hearing this and quickly swallowed the pills. As soon as the pills entered their stomachs, a warm current flowed through their limbs and bones, and the damage caused by resisting the dragon's might was completely restored in a short time. They even felt that their muscles and bones had become stronger.

"Thank you so much for the medicine, sir!" the crowd said in unison, bowing in gratitude.

The final challenge, called "Unity Stone," tests teamwork.

A huge rock weighing tens of thousands of kilograms was placed in a deep pit.

"In groups of five, using the tools provided, move the boulder out of the pit within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn."

This challenge will no longer test individual heroism.

In some groups, the five people each held their own opinions and argued fiercely, ultimately failing to even tie the rope properly.

Some groups only knew how to use brute force, working up a sweat, but the boulder remained unmoved.

In Sun Zheng's group, he took the initiative to step forward, calmly and rationally analyzing the terrain and assigning tasks.

"Go and cut down a few sturdy logs to put underneath!"

"You two are responsible for securing the rope to the most stable part of the boulder!"

"You and I will be in charge of building a simple sliding platform!"

Under his command, the five people cooperated seamlessly and in an orderly manner.

At the last minute, they successfully pried the boulder and slowly moved it out of the deep pit.

After the three rounds, only fifteen people remained.

Led by Sun Zheng, they are all promising talents with excellent character, courage, and wisdom.

"From this day forward, you are members of my Peach Blossom Guard."

Li Pingcan bestowed upon each person a long sword forged from refined steel, a bottle of body-tempering pills, and personally taught them a combined offensive and defensive sword formation.

"Yes!" Sun Zheng and the others responded in unison, their faces full of joy.

…………

In the stillness of the night, a dream of jade unfolds.

Li Pingcan quietly arrived at Li Mengjin's "ancient ruins".

The Trial Grounds are no longer the desolate ruins they once were.

At this moment, Li Mengjin is trapped in a maze made of illusions.

The maze walls can move at any time, the floor under your feet can suddenly turn into quicksand, and a weakened version of "thunder waves" will fall from above from time to time.

In various corners of the maze, several divine thoughts wielding lightsabers lurk, ready to launch a sneak attack at any moment.

"Again!"

Li Mengjingang cleaved a phantom that burst out of the wall with a single sword strike, but his footing gave way, and he nearly fell into a trap full of spikes.

He rolled awkwardly, but before he could regain his footing, a sharp whooshing sound came from behind him.

"when!"

Without turning his head, he swung his sword backhand and precisely blocked a sneak attack. Using the momentum, he tapped the wall and swung away like a nimble ape, dodging several light arrows shot from the other side.

"Not bad, you've improved." Li Pingcan nodded in satisfaction.

This high-intensity, multi-faceted training, though arduous, greatly enhanced Li Mengjin's overall combat capabilities, reaction speed, and sense of crisis.

After leaving the "Ancient Ruins", Li Pingcan reappeared beside the "Moon Goddess Spring".

The spring water remained clear, radiating a soft moonlight.

Li Mengyue sat by the spring with her bare, snow-white little feet, her face filled with focus and a hint of sadness.

In the spring water in front of her, floated a tiny, almost transparent, curled-up shadow.

That was the spirit of a rabbit that had just been killed by wolves in the back mountains.

Its soul was covered with black cracks, emanating an aura of pain and fear, clearly indicating that it had suffered a great shock before its death.

"Little bunny, don't be afraid, it doesn't hurt anymore."

Li Mengyue stretched out her chubby little hand and gently dipped it into the spring water. A moon-white light shone from her palm, like gentle threads, carefully wrapping around the wounded soul.

The light and shadow initially trembled violently, filled with resistance.

But under the soothing power of Li Mengyue's pure purification, it gradually calmed down, and the black cracks on its soul body began to heal at a speed visible to the naked eye.

"call……"

Li Mengyue let out a long sigh of relief, a fine layer of sweat appearing on her forehead.

Healing the soul requires far more effort than healing the body.

But when she saw the little rabbit's spirit solidify again, sending her a feeling of closeness and gratitude before finally dissipating into specks of light, her clear eyes were filled with pure joy.

“My father said that death is not the end, but only the beginning of another journey.”

She murmured to herself, "All I can do is let you embark on your new journey with peace of mind."

Through her daily healing process, this little girl is understanding life and death in a unique way.

In this process, the soul and mind are also tempered and become more pure and resilient.

Looking at all this, Li Pingcan felt an indescribable sense of pride welling up inside him.

(End of this chapter)