Druid Fairy

Chapter 32 Embarking on the Martial Path
With chubby little cheeks and bright, obsidian-like eyes, she quickly hid behind Qin Shi after greeting him, then peeked out and secretly watched Li Pingcan while twisting the hem of her clothes.

This adorable little girl is so cute!

There was none of the nasty rudeness of the village children throwing stones at people.

"Hello, little sister." Li Pingcan asked casually, "What's your name, little sister?"

He was curious, though. Where did this little girl come from? He didn't remember the Li family having any close relatives. Could she be his father's illegitimate daughter?

Then wouldn't Mother make Father sleep on the floor every day?

"This is your younger sister Xie Yuan, she's a year younger than you." A trace of sadness flashed in Madam Qin's eyes. Without saying much, she led the little girl, who was exhausted from the journey, back to the inner room to rest.

Lee Rongzhou, sitting on the stone, beckoned to Lee Pingcan, wanting to pull him onto his lap to talk.

Li Pingcan twisted his body to avoid it, and said with dissatisfaction, "Dad, I'm not a child anymore, I'm seven years old!"

"Haha, Can'er has grown up. You'll have to take good care of your little sister Xie from now on."

Li Rongzhou sighed, "She is your grandmaster's granddaughter."

Three years ago, the owner of the White Crane Pavilion was seriously injured while fleeing a disaster. He was sent to a sparsely populated wilderness area where he lacked food and clothing and worked hard every day to clear land. A month ago, the owner unfortunately passed away due to illness.

Migrants cannot easily change their registered residence, and without a travel permit, they cannot leave the desolate area. However, if a woman is engaged, there is room for maneuver.

The owner's wife couldn't bear to see her only granddaughter suffer, and because she herself was seriously ill, she asked the escort agency to bring Xie Yuan to Peach Blossom Village.

"On the surface, it's a marriage arranged since childhood, but you should just treat Yuanyuan as your little sister. Your grandmaster has been good to me, so remember to take care of your little sister."

"I understand, Father." Li Pingcan naturally didn't have any other thoughts. He just felt that his younger sister was cute and had such a pitiful background, so he felt pity for her.

Of course, no matter how beautiful his sister was, she didn't go to his head; he instinctively maintained a vague sense of wariness.

If Xie Yuan can actively integrate into the Li family, he wouldn't mind treating her like a younger sister. If there's no family connection, he'll find her a good marriage when she grows up to repay his great-grandfather for his guidance of his father.

“There’s one more thing,” Li Rongzhou said in a low voice. “Your grandmaster has passed on the mental techniques and formulas of the Three Styles of the White Crane to me, and also allowed me to teach them to others. Can’er, your essence is strong and your physique is good, so you can start your martial arts journey ahead of time.”

He looked at Li Pingcan and asked, "Which style do you want to learn: the White Crane Style or the Black Tiger Style?"

Finally, I can practice martial arts!

Li Pingcan was pleasantly surprised. Over the years, he had been forced to practice the basics of martial arts, standing in stances and sitting on a stool every day until his hips were almost numb.

After thinking for a moment, he gave his answer and said affirmatively, "Father, I want to practice the White Crane Style with you."

Learning the "Black Tiger Skill" would cost money, which isn't impossible, but we should save where we can and cut back on expenses. Secondly, once he learns it, Zhou Enxian will definitely know his progress in martial arts, making it difficult to keep a secret.

The "White Crane Style" is different; it's a community of shared interests where everyone prospers or suffers together. In terms of its attributes, the White Crane Style is not only light and agile but also elegant and graceful, elevating one's overall demeanor.

Of course, being handsome isn't the most important thing; the key is being able to run fast when in danger!

…………

Three years have passed, and Li Pingcan's [Tree Breath] has only barely reached LV3, which, in martial arts terms, means he has reached the third level; his eldest brother has reached the second level, his father the first level, and his mother and second brother have only just begun to understand the basics.

It is evident that the top-tier effects of Tree Breathing can grant a lifespan of three hundred years, but for those with mediocre martial arts aptitude, this effect will be greatly diminished.

Even so, it is still a powerful health-preserving exercise, and it is not difficult to live to be a hundred years old without illness or disaster.

What's even more remarkable is that Tree Breathing does not conflict with any other martial arts techniques, causing blood to flow backward or leading to demonic possession. It is far superior to techniques like the White Crane Style or the Black Tiger Style.

One afternoon.

Li Rongzhou taught Li Pingcan the Three Styles of the White Crane with great care.

This is also the advantage of family inheritance; there is no habit of teaching the master and then starving the apprentice, and there is no secrets hidden from the master. "The Three Styles of the White Crane take the three virtues of the crane: 'purity, agility, and composure,' and combine them with the three strengths of 'relaxation, integrity, and penetration.'"

Imagining the graceful posture of a white crane spreading its wings and shaking snow, Li Pingcan focused his energy in his dantian, separated yin and yang in his feet, and slowly raised his arms from under his ribs to shoulder height. He exerted force from the base of his palms like pushing waves, and then his energy moved like the wind, his wings sweeping through the clouds. He joined his index and middle fingers together to form a crane beak hand and thrust it out diagonally from behind his ears, whistling through the air.

They sprinted, their feet light and graceful, like white cranes riding the wind, their movements elegant and untouched by dust.

In harmony with the tree's breath, the energy is long, deep, and endless.

After practicing the White Crane Style several times, Li Pingcan felt a warmth rising in his lungs and his pores opening up, experiencing an indescribable sense of ease and comfort. Although his body was clearly exhausted to the point of limit, the wonderful feeling of clarity and enlightenment made him unable to resist practicing it again and again.

"This is……"

Li Rongzhou frowned for a moment. When you first enter the world of martial arts, what you fear most is exhausting your energy and blood, forcing yourself to enter the path, which will lead to mental and physical exhaustion.

Therefore, martial artists must learn to be ruthless, but also know how to "stop at the last inch and not be greedy".

Although her son looked tired, his eyes were bright and alert, and he seemed to have no signs of being depleted in energy.

"Forcibly interrupting would damage one's Dao heart; let's wait and see."

Another incense stick's time has passed.

Sensing that Li Pingcan's aura was growing stronger and stronger, breaking through the barrier, Li Rongzhou was pleasantly surprised, "So he's already entered the first level?"

It took Li Pingfu a full half month to learn the basics of martial arts.

While the foundation laid by the Purple Centipede Ointment Water over three years and the White Crane Style perfectly complemented his divine speed, the most crucial factor was that his youngest son possessed superior martial arts talent!
…………

Martial arts training requires consistent practice over time, and Li Pingcan was not in a hurry to achieve mastery after entering the school.

The whole family gathered for dinner.

This is also an unwritten rule in the Li family—no matter how busy you are outside, you should come home for dinner if you can.

Qin introduced Xie Yuan, the younger sister, to the two brothers, Li Pingfu and Li Pingan.

"Yuanyuan, stay home and rest assured. If anyone bullies you, your big brother will beat them up for you."

Li Pingfu had passed puberty and his voice was as deep and resonant as his father's. He had been practicing martial arts for many years and had grown tall and strong, with well-developed muscles in his upper body. He was broad-shouldered and thick-waisted, but when he smiled, he looked like a harmless bear, so Xie Yuan was not afraid of him.

Li Pingan mocked Li Pingfu, "With your size, if you stand in front of Yuanyuan, no one will bully her, but no one will dare to be friends with Yuanyuan either."

This refined scholar in front of outsiders is just as sharp-tongued with his own elder brother at home.

Xie Yuan chuckled, her bright eyes sparkling, her face slightly flushed, and she seemed much less awkward and distant than when she first arrived.

She glanced at Li Pingcan, who was the most handsome young man, and said in a soft voice, "With three older brothers around, Yuanyuan isn't afraid of not having any friends."

Children who suffer hardship mature early.

Although Xie Yuan is young, she has experienced the joys and sorrows of life, and is therefore exceptionally clever, obedient, and good at reading people's expressions.

"Yuanyuan is such a good girl." Madam Qin patted her head affectionately.

Li Pingcan noticed that Yuanyuan had dark circles under her eyes, bloodshot eyes, and an abnormal flush on her face, but the excitement and tension in the unfamiliar environment masked this.

'Once I completely relax, I'm afraid I'll fall seriously ill.'

In this era, childhood illness is still a terrible thing, and children can die if not careful.

Li Pingcan couldn't bear it in the end and decided to use [Nature's Gift] on the little girl!
(End of this chapter)