Over the next hour, their luck began to wane.
However, guided by Li Pingcan's directions, Old Goat managed to find another Blood Qi medicinal herb, several unusual stones, and some aged herbs that would fetch one or two taels of silver each on the market.
Old Goat clicked his tongue in amazement at Li Pingcan's skills, utterly impressed.
Out of every ten searches, five would yield results—this level of talent was nearly on par with his own sect's founding ancestor.
Though all the herbs belonged to his employers, Old Goat felt satisfied just having witnessed such ability, gaining bragging rights for future stories.
After all, who would care who actually found the herbs when he could claim credit for leading the expedition that returned with three Blood Qi herbs?
This would surely boost his reputation!
As evening approached, the three prepared to return.
Li Pingfu had been secretly wary of Old Goat throughout—while one shouldn't harbor harmful intentions, vigilance was necessary. Though Old Goat had proven trustworthy, who knew if he might be tempted by sudden wealth?
So-called principles could become quite flexible when faced with substantial riches!Only at their parting did Li Pingfu relax slightly, smiling as he said, "Old Goat, here's ten taels for your trouble. Let's keep the details of today's treasure hunt between us."
"No problem."
Old Goat understood Li Pingfu's concerns—protecting his younger brother from attracting unwanted attention. He happily accepted the reward, knowing deep down he neither wanted nor dared to offend the Li family. With their fortunate youngest son, the Li household was destined for greatness.
Watching Old Goat's retreating figure disappear into the mountains, Li Pingcan suddenly revealed with a sly grin:
"Big brother, wait—let's go back into the mountains. I just discovered a treasure-grade plant earlier."
He'd intentionally withheld this information since finding Blood Qi herbs and discovering a treasure-grade plant were entirely different matters.
Best to avoid unnecessary trouble where possible.
Initially, their treasure hunting success had stemmed from the [Good Fortune] trait of [Nature's Gift], granting exceptional luck for finding valuables—like that first treasure-grade plant that had practically glowed at him.
But fortune wasn't infinite—it depleted with use and required time to replenish, hence their later dry spell.
"Alright." Li Pingfu blinked, then smiled approvingly—his brother had learned to hold cards close to his chest.
Guided by Li Pingcan, they soon located the glowshroom-marked treasure plant in a hidden valley where moist cliffs dripped with moss.
The plant's amber-like stems shone gold and translucent, emitting faint radiance in the secluded spot.
The moment Li Pingcan saw it, his long-dormant system panel activated, displaying information about the plant and the Killer Bee Queen through [Natural Symbiosis] vision:
[Name]: Amber Jade Blossom
[Attribute]: Earth
[Status]: Vigorously striving
......
[Name]: Killer Bee Queen
[Attribute]: Earth
[Status]: Just wants to laze around
......
[Two compatible earth-attribute treasures detected. Initiate symbiosis?]
One brimming with energy, the other utterly lazy—how was this a match?
Complementary personalities?
Li Pingcan internally mocked. Since coming to his home, the bee queen had lived like royalty—fed by subordinates, eating and sleeping without care.
After Li Pingcan assumed control of the hive, she'd sunbathed lazily, not even bothering to scout wild bee colonies.
"This won't do. I need her to find wild honey, not laze about."
Too busy to hunt bees himself, he needed someone to manage the queen.
The Li family didn't tolerate idle bees!
"Confirm Natural Symbiosis."
As the bond formed, the drowsy bee queen in Li Pingcan's pocket suddenly awoke, radiating startled confusion through their mental link—though no hostility.
Fluttering wings, she landed on the amber blossom's stem, clinging like glue.
Surprisingly, the plump queen could still fly!
Then again, she was a treasure beast.
Simultaneously, their symbiotic abilities manifested:
[Consuming Amber Jade Blossom petals grants perception of ley lines and earthquake premonition.]
[Enhanced killer bees gain earth-attribute treasure detection.]
......
"Treasure-seeking bees?"
The term popped into Li Pingcan's mind, lighting his face with excitement. He planned to cultivate the hive, breeding powerful killer bees into dedicated treasure hunters.
While he could shoulder early family development, human energy had limits—treasure hunting consumed precious time.
Passing this ability to descendants meant enjoying endless resources as a retired family elder!
"First breed generations of treasure bees, then entrust them to reliable family members for gradual expansion."
Rome wasn't built in a day—currently only the queen qualified, but her laziness made her inefficient. He'd have to hope the next queen was more diligent.
"Never thought I'd become one of those parents living vicariously through their offspring."
The Blood Qi centipede and Seven-Leaf Paris herb had birthed dual-attribute treasure medicine; now two treasures would yield "treasure bees"—another promising venture.
Stay humble! Work hard! Persevere!
......
Days after returning from the mountains, Li Pingcan resumed his routine—eating, sleeping, planting trees, honing skills.
He couldn't overuse [Good Fortune] for treasure hunting—excessive luck expenditure brought misfortunes like fishbone choking (terrifying Lady Qin into swearing off fish) or unavoidable bird droppings.
Annoying, if not catastrophic.
Apparently, the universe maintained balance—for every boon, a bane.
This made him wonder: as a Druid favored by nature, was worldly fortune finite?
Did the Heavenly Dao allot fixed portions, reclaiming excess?
If cultivation required more fortune than allotted, could one seize it against heaven's will?
Dangerous thoughts best left unexplored.
"Best accumulate fortune quietly—might help avoid future calamities."
The deeper into cultivation, the more superstitious he became.
......
"Confirmed—Old Goat's 'spirit grass' and Shen Xiaotian's 'underground spring' were just rumors..."
Soaring as a golden eagle, Li Pingcan scoured Yunshui County's supposed "spiritual sites." Even with treasure-detection skills, he found no metal or fire spirits.
Rumors misled—any real treasures had long been claimed.
Considering Peach Tree Grandpa controlled the earth spirit and White Lady held three water spirits... most spiritual treasures belonged to the powerful.
"Are wild immortal opportunities really so scarce? Impossible!"
Likely, Peach Blossom Mountain's depths had been thoroughly picked over. Finding treasures here was like fishing needles from oceans.
True secrets lay where neither mortals nor immortals ventured—like the Dayu River!
He quietly anticipated Little Gold's promised "Dragon Immortal Ceremony."
Several days later.
Qing River's waves roared.
Li Pingcan opened his eyes as [Spore Sense] projected an image—distant peaks darkened as if ink-drenched, the sky abruptly dimming.
The river rumbled ominously, waters churning with debris as turbid currents surged.
"The tide finally rises!"
Concealing nine spirit sand grains and carrying two wooden sticks, two talismans, and Seven-Leaf Purple-Gold herbs as offerings, Li Pingcan transformed—first to a storm-battling seagull, then to a red-white crucian carp plunging into raging waters.
"Shapeshifting seems tied to physical strength."
Navigating torrents, his fish form bobbed like a leaf yet held firm—a far cry from six months ago when mere Blood Qi First Transformation left him struggling. After consuming the treasure fish and reaching Second Transformation, even violent currents couldn't hinder him.
Soon reaching Little Gold's hideout:
"Long time no see."
"Brother! You came~"
The two fish circled playfully before Little Gold declared:
"The ceremony begins soon. Come meet the Dragon Immortal!"
Ignoring his red algae garden swept away by currents, Little Gold snatched one strand as offering and darted ahead.
Following through chaotic whirlpools where raging undercurrents sent Little Gold spinning, Li Pingcan activated [Water Manipulation] to steady his friend. Without this guide, he'd never locate the ceremony.
Within the vortex, even breathing felt strained as tumbling rocks formed deadly cascades.
Many Blood Qi and treasure-grade aquatic creatures struggled—a single grazing stone meant instant death, their remains swallowed by darkness.
Just as Li Pingcan's vision failed, warmth enveloped him. Turbidity cleared, revealing a fissure spewing geothermal springs amidst jade-white sands where golden water plants glowed radiantly—an underwater fairyland.
"We're here!" Little Gold cheered.
Spitting out grit, Li Pingcan marveled at the dreamlike scene—finally, a genuine spiritual site beyond rumor!
"Roooar~"
A draconic cry echoed from the fissure's depths as shrimp soldiers and crab generals formed ranks. Upon a coral throne coiled a blue-black flood dragon, scales refracting rainbow hues.
"Hail the Dragon Immortal!"
Carp formations spelled blessings with pearl bubbles while clams played musical shells. Little Gold vibrated excitedly: "Last month His Majesty scared off eastern bandits with his aura!"
A real flood dragon!
China's five-thousand-year totem, alive before him—utterly awe-inspiring!
Even this blue-black dragon dwarfed White Lady's serpent lineage.
Following Little Gold's lead, Li Pingcan respectfully offered his treasure herbs.
The dragon's approving roar rippled the waters, but as initial awe faded, Li Pingcan noticed something odd—having faced White Lady's pressure, this dragon felt... underwhelming.
Activating [Animal Affinity]:
[Name: Scoundrel Snake]
[Mood: Giddy excitement]
Li Pingcan: "..."
All reverence evaporated instantly.
How? Why?
The cultivation world's greatest scam artist!
......
Post-ceremony, the "Dragon Immortal" retreated to its chambers, dramatically shedding its dragon skin to scratch its scaly back with a broken horn:
"Ugh, playing dragon sucks! So itchy! Lobster! Where's my backscratcher?"
Biting back laughter at the oblivious impostor, Li Pingcan noted the green snake's intelligence—clearly superior to Little Gold, nearing spiritual awakening.
According to Little Gold, this "Dragon Immortal" had protected Qing River for decades, earning genuine respect.
Who wouldn't enjoy adoration, even through deception?
A powerful, promising green snake—perhaps this "Dragon Immortal" could become the Li family's unique ally.
With that thought, Li Pingcan swished his tail, directing water plants to coil into thorny vines toward the snake.
"What's this?!"
The impostor tensed until the thorns scratched its itchy spots—then its entire body stiffened in ecstasy.
"Yes! Harder! Don't stop!"
"A humble offering, Immortal."
Li Pingcan revealed his carp form, showing peaceful intent. He felt confident—this "dragon" hadn't reached spiritual transformation, posing less threat than Left Protector.
"Call me Brother Green Flood," the snake insisted post-scratch, eyeing the wilted thorns lovingly. "You understand me AND have these miracle scratchers? We're blood brothers now!"
"Green...Jiao?" (Note: homophone for "green pepper") Li Pingcan nearly laughed again before asking, "Where'd you get the dragon costume?"
Unlike guarded humans, the snake whispered conspiratorially: "Just for you, brother—I'll show you the REAL treasure even those eastern bandits couldn't find... the Dragon Palace!"
Reassembling its disguise, it brushed the jade sands, dispersing mist to reveal... nothing?
'Dragon Palace? A true dragon's legacy?'
Maintaining carp form, Li Pingcan's [Water Manipulation] detected an invisible barrier.
Feigning calm, he asked, "Brother Green Jiao, does this conceal a dragon's heritage?"
"Patience."
Suddenly, the snake dragged him through chaotic currents that somehow followed hidden patterns.
"We've reached Dayu River!"
The fissure connected to the massive river system? Li Pingcan noted this astonishing fact as the rock wall before them rippled open like living flesh, revealing a dark passage.
"Fufufu! Even if cultivators blasted this place apart, they'd never find the entrance."
Though Green Jiao boasted, [Animal Affinity] revealed its tense muscles—this fraud was scared.
"Endure briefly, brother, and gain countless treasures!"
"Endure wha—"
Darkness. Then visions:
Skyscrapers. Traffic. A hospital's sterile stench as white-coated men pronounced his death sentence. Lonely walks through cold streets, the world an inescapable cage.
Bone-deep isolation. Despair.
Just as these emotions crested, his family's faces surfaced—breaking the spell.
"An illusion!"
No wonder Green Jiao warned him—this trial dredged one's deepest pain. His was past-life loneliness.
Only present-life love had anchored his escape.
As the illusion shattered, a majestic palace materialized, its halls echoing ancient words he somehow understood:
"Human Li Pingcan has passed the Heart-Testing Platform's first tier."
"Mortalflesh yet unwavering dao heart—graded Heaven-Class. Awarded: Dao Spirit Pill."
Before the carp appeared a white pill.
[Dao Spirit Pill: Ancient spiritual pill forged by Dragon Treasure Sage. Refines soul, elevates beyond mortality.]
A golden-tier item!
Anything affecting the soul was extraordinary. Li Pingcan's fish eyes bulged—Green Jiao hadn't lied!
Perhaps because a pre-cultivation mortal achieving Heaven-Class was exceptionally rare, hence the generous reward.
"To eat or not?"
After consideration, he swallowed it.
In this world, he was insignificant—why would any powerhouse bother scheming against him? Even a mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator could obliterate the Li family effortlessly.
If this were a trap, far simpler methods existed.
For a Druid, this pill meant expanded "mana pool"!
The pill's heat flashed through him... then vanished abruptly.
"Huh? Fake medicine?"
Baffled by the lack of sensation, Li Pingcan didn't realize the most potent pills worked subtly—their effects permeating gradually to refine body and soul beyond immediate perception.