But this wasn't enough yet.
Returning to the Li residence, he retrieved the second-tier formation diagram of the [Nine Suns Spirit Refining Formation].
This formation took nine as the ultimate number, drawing upon the true solar power from the highest heavens. Not only could it gather spiritual energy, but it could also refine all things, serving both offensive and defensive purposes with unparalleled dominance.
However, the formation was overly complex. Given his current cultivation level, attempting it directly carried an extremely high risk of failure.
Li Pingcan simply used spiritual energy to construct a massive sand table, meticulously recreating the entire terrain of Peach Blossom Mountain in miniature.
He then used different spirit stones to represent the formation flags' nodes.
Sitting cross-legged before the sand table, he immersed his consciousness and began repeatedly simulating every variation of the [Nine Suns Spirit Refining Formation] on that small sand table.
Once, twice, a hundred times, a thousand times...
He engraved every detail of the formation setup firmly in his mind, ensuring absolute perfection.
The flickering candlelight stretched his focused silhouette long across the floor..............
The Li family's alchemist had gained fame throughout the capital, and Peach Blossom Village had consequently become a renowned geomantic treasure land.
Every day, curious onlookers would peek around the village entrance, hoping to catch some immortal aura.
Some even more audacious individuals would sneak up Peach Blossom Mountain at night, attempting to steal a few peach trees to plant elsewhere.
These people naturally received "special hospitality" from the [Darkblue Ghost Thorns] and [Triple Mystic Paralysis Flowers], being thrown down the mountain the next day bruised, swollen, and utterly exhausted. No one dared trespass lightly after that.
Yet Li Pingcan's internal alarms blared louder.
For now, they were only dealing with ordinary folks - manageable enough. But as the Li family's reputation grew increasingly illustrious, it was inevitable that scheming cultivators would come knocking.
Relying solely on these defensive plants was ultimately too passive.
While the common man is innocent, possessing treasure becomes his crime.
The Li family had become somewhat too conspicuous.
"Apparently, formations and traps alone aren't sufficient. We must establish our own armed force."
"It's time to create a military force belonging solely to the Li family."
Once this idea took root, it could no longer be suppressed.
After discussions among the Li family members, Li Rongzhou raised no objections, and Li Pingfu, upon hearing the news, also voiced his approval.
Immediately, an announcement was issued under the Li clan's name.
The Li family would establish a mountain-protecting guard unit called the "Peach Blossom Guard."
Selected members would not only receive superior martial arts training directly from the Li family but also have the opportunity to obtain miraculous spiritual pills from their resident immortal master!
"Have you heard? The immortal master is forming a mountain guard! Those chosen will receive techniques personally taught by the immortal master, plus spiritual pills!"
"Heavens! This is an incredible opportunity! Isn't this a hundred times better than joining the provincial army?"
"Don't anyone compete with me! My father once cleared land with the old Li family master - no one matches our family's loyalty!"
The villagers spread the news excitedly, each more energized than the last. The young men especially gave their all, lifting stone locks in their yards, practicing punches and kicks in a final sprint, terrified of missing this life-changing opportunity.
Parents repeatedly admonished their children to perform well the next day, warning them not to squander this chance to leap over the dragon gate.
The current village chief, Li Xiaoshan, was so excited he couldn't sleep all night.
He busied himself with preparations until his voice grew hoarse.
"Listen well! The immortal master's selection is an immense honor for us! Anyone caught cheating or scheming - don't blame me for being ruthless! I'll break their legs myself and banish them from Peach Blossom Village!"
He understood perfectly - without the Li family, his position as village chief meant nothing.
The Li family's prosperity directly correlated with his own stability.
This favor and opportunity, he needed to cling to tightly.
............
Meanwhile, at Yunshui County's martial arts school, waves of excitement surged.
"It's the Li family! The Li family is selecting personal guards!"
The disciples shouted excitedly.
Sun Zheng, now the school's senior brother, had developed a muscular physique and steady, powerful fist techniques, no longer the green youth of before.
Upon hearing the news, he immediately gathered all his fellow disciples without hesitation.
"The Li family has given us rebirth!"
Sun Zheng's voice rang firm, eyes filled with reverence. "Without the Li family, there would be no Sun Zheng today, nor the martial arts school's current state! This selection is our best chance to repay their kindness! Everyone give it your absolute all! Anyone caught slacking will face my fists!"
Had it not been for Li Pingcan's guidance and gifted medicines, he would still be that impoverished boy with no future prospects.
"Yes, Senior Brother!" the disciples roared in unison, battle spirit soaring.
...........
The training grounds below Peach Blossom Mountain teemed with people.
Li Pingcan sat on the high platform with Li Mengjin and Li Mengyue.
Li Mengjin's eyes sparkled, while Li Mengyue sat on a small chair, swinging her short legs, her dark eyes observing everyone below.
Li Pingcan surveyed the sea of young faces filled with eagerness and tension.
"The Li family's mountain guard seeks quality over quantity. Loyalty, perseverance, and comprehension - none can be lacking. Today, I've prepared three trials. Those who pass will become the first members of our guard."
With a wave of his hand,
"Rumble!"
The ground trembled slightly as a winding path paved with blue stone miraculously rose from the empty space before the crowd, its end disappearing into the distance.
Misty fog flanked the path, emanating an unsettling aura.
"The first trial: Path of the Heart."
Li Pingcan's voice carried profound meaning. "This path tests your true nature. Along the way, you may encounter wealth, beauty, or enemies. Those who succumb to greed and stray from the path will be eliminated. Those who fear and retreat will be eliminated. Begin."
The crowd exchanged glances. This first trial sounded mysterious - wasn't it just walking a path?
An impatient, burly youth charged forward first, but the moment his foot touched the blue stone path, his eyes turned bloodshot as if seeing a bitter enemy. With a furious roar, he abandoned the path and rushed into the thick fog beside it, vanishing instantly with only a scream left behind.
The crowd shuddered, finally understanding the terror of this "Path of the Heart."
Sun Zheng took a deep breath, eyes firm, and stepped onto the path second.
The moment his foot touched the path, the surroundings transformed instantly.
Mountains of gold and silver piled at his feet, peerless beauties threw themselves at him, past tormentors knelt begging for mercy... Countless illusions assailed his mind.
Sun Zheng silently recited the Li family's kindness, biting his tongue to maintain final clarity. Eyes fixed ahead, he took firm, measured steps forward.
On the high platform, Li Mengyue suddenly tugged Li Pingcan's sleeve, pointing at Sun Zheng. "Daddy, that big uncle has such warm, clean light around him!"
Li Pingcan smiled and patted his daughter's head.
As expected of someone blessed by the Moon Goddess's Spring - she could literally "see" the light of people's hearts.
After one hour, the first trial concluded. Of nearly two hundred participants, fewer than sixty remained.
The eliminated walked away dejected, having revealed their true natures in the illusions.
"Good." Li Pingcan nodded approvingly at the remaining sixty-plus individuals.
"The second trial: Dragon's Might."
He snapped his fingers toward the Spirit Mountain cave dwelling.
"ROAR!"
An earth-shaking dragon's roar erupted from the valley depths!
A terrifying pressure from ancient bloodlines swept across the field like tangible tides!
Under his leadership, the five coordinated seamlessly.
At the last moment, they successfully pried the boulder up, slowly moving it out of the pit.
With all three trials complete, only fifteen remained.
Led by Sun Zheng, each possessed excellent temperament, courage, and intelligence.
"From today, you are members of the Peach Blossom Guard."
Li Pingcan bestowed each with a hundred-fold refined steel longsword, a bottle of Body Tempering Pills, and personally taught them a combined offensive-defensive sword formation.
"Yes!" Sun Zheng and the others responded in unison, faces alight with joy.
.........
Late at night, in the Emerald Dream.
Li Pingcan quietly arrived at Li Mengjin's "Ancient Ruins."
The training ground was no longer the empty ruin of before.
Currently, Li Mengjin was trapped in an illusionary maze.
The maze walls shifted constantly, floors could turn to quicksand, and weakened versions of [Thunderclap Wave] occasionally fell from above.
In the maze's corners lurked several divine consciousness projections wielding light swords, ready to ambush.
"Again!"
Li Mengjin had just cleaved an illusion emerging from a wall when the floor vanished beneath him, nearly dropping him into a spike-filled trap.
He rolled aside desperately, only to hear a sharp whistling behind him.
"Clang!"
Without turning, his backhanded sword perfectly blocked the ambush. Pushing off the wall, he swung away like an agile monkey, dodging several light arrows from another direction.
"Good progress." Li Pingcan nodded approvingly.
Though grueling, this intense composite training significantly enhanced Li Mengjin's combat abilities, reflexes, and crisis awareness.
Leaving the "Ancient Ruins," Li Pingcan appeared beside the "Moon Goddess's Spring."
The spring remained clear, emitting soft moonlight.
Li Mengyue sat barefoot by the water, her small face a mix of focus and sorrow.
Floating in the spring was a nearly transparent, curled-up light form - the spirit of a rabbit recently killed by wolves in the back mountains.
Its spirit body was covered in black cracks, radiating pain and terror from its traumatic death.
"Little bunny, don't be afraid. It doesn't hurt anymore."
Li Mengyue reached her chubby hands into the water. Moonlight radiated from her palms like gentle threads, carefully enveloping the wounded spirit.
The light form initially trembled violently in resistance.
But under Li Mengyue's pure purifying energy, it gradually calmed, the black cracks visibly healing.
"Whew..."
Li Mengyue exhaled heavily, forehead beaded with sweat.
Healing spirits drained far more energy than healing bodies.
Yet when the rabbit's spirit regained solidity, sending her feelings of closeness and gratitude before dissipating into light particles, her clear eyes filled with pure joy.
"Daddy says death isn't the end, just the start of another journey."
She murmured, "All I can do is help you begin that journey peacefully."
Through daily healing, this little girl was uniquely comprehending life and death.
Her soul and character were being tempered into ever-greater purity and resilience.
Watching this, Li Pingcan felt inexpressible pride.