Li Pingcan didn't experience the arrogant pride that came with the sudden breakthrough of "swallowing a golden pill to defy the heavens." The Dao Spirit Pill worked silently and gradually, tempering his soul bit by bit. Only over time did he begin to notice subtle differences.
In other words, the delayed effects were kicking in!
Within just half an hour, his spiritual power had strengthened significantly. Skills like [Water Manipulation] and [Plastic King] that previously drained him heavily now felt much easier to execute.
"Based on the current absorption rate, when fully digested, this pill should increase my 'blue energy' capacity by five layers!"
This was an elevation of his fundamental limits - equivalent to those legendary medicines in stories that cleanse one's meridians and refine one's constitution.
Li Pingcan felt that right now, he could take on two Left Protectors simultaneously. Once he fully absorbed the Dao Spirit Pill, he might even achieve multitasking with three minds.
Glancing at his Green Jiao brother, he noticed faint ripples undulating around the serpent's body. When his fish tail lightly brushed against it, the ripples repelled him - some sort of protective barrier.
It seemed the Dragon Palace provided safeguards during Heart-Testing Platform trials.
Seeing Green Jiao's pained expression gradually fade into clarity, Li Pingcan knew his companion would awaken soon.
"Ah, failed again!"Green Jiao opened his eyes, disappointment written all over his face.
The first layer of his Heart-Testing Platform illusion had been endless itchy bumps - truly unbearable torture!
"Brother, you failed too?"
Given the short duration, breaking through the illusionary trial was impossible. Green Jiao comforted, "No worries, first-time failures still get 'consolation prizes.' Last time I got a 'Li Yuan Point.'"
Years ago, the then-clueless Green Snake had stumbled upon dragon skin and horns by chance. While being hunted, he barely survived a near-death experience to reach the Dragon Palace through draconic power. Awakening his intelligence as a treasure beast opened a whole new world for him.
The price for obtaining dragon power wasn't this body covered in bumps.
"I didn't exactly win either, just lucked into Heaven Grade and got a Dao Li Yuan."
Li Pingfu didn't hide his gains. Without Bliss, he wouldn't have reached the Dragon Palace. Bliss had been utterly sincere as a snake, completely genuine, and the Dao Li Yuan was already digested.
"Damn! Heaven Grade! A Dao Li Yuan!"
Bliss's golden snake pupils widened with unconcealable envy as he circled around Li Pingfu. "'Dao'-tier pills are among the best rewards here. Heaven Grade means you can proceed to the second layer!"
His best result had only been "Earth Grade," never reaching Heaven Grade. How could this little crucian carp have such steadfast dao heart? Truly snake-jealousy inducing!
"Quick, try the second layer!" Bliss urged excitedly. "I'll guard for you!"
Li Pingfu could feel Bliss's genuine sincerity.
His gaze turned toward the Dragon Palace, burning with anticipation.
If the first layer yielded such treasures, what might the second or third hold?
During their chat, he'd already absorbed most of the Dao Li Yuan. Time to attempt the second layer!
"Second layer, Bliss Platform."
The Dragon Palace scenery dissipated like smoke, replaced by scenes showcasing the most blissful moments one could experience in a lifetime.
Fame in youth, astounding the Great Yu.
Mastery of both arts, topping the imperial exams.
Beautiful lovers, nightly revelries.
Power overwhelming, ruling as regent.
A dynasty passed down through generations.
A smooth immortal cultivation path - heaven's favorites, celestial darlings, fairy maidens, goddesses, demonesses - all effortlessly conquered.
Qi Refining, Foundation Building, Golden Core, Nascent Soul... until finally grasping the Great Dao itself, achieving eternal life!
"Heh... hehehehe!"
Within the Bliss Platform, Li Pingcan wore an idiotically happy grin.
Green Jiao covered his face with his tail, lamenting, "Damn, brother, you've fallen!"
"This is way too amazing!"
Li Pingcan awoke still grinning foolishly, savoring the fading dream. Then he remembered he was undergoing an illusion trial and his expression changed instantly.
They're testing an old ten-part official with this?
What veteran official could resist such temptation!
"The second layer's too hard - it directly stimulates humanity's most primal desires."
Li Pingcan considered himself relatively indifferent to material temptations, yet even he failed the test.
Not that his willpower was weak - the illusion was simply too perfect!
Fortunately, everything experienced in the illusion felt like a vivid dream upon waking, like watching a movie, without actually living through centuries.
Otherwise, the stark contrast between illusion and reality might have shattered his dao heart!
"Don't feel bad, brother. The trials have no limits - you can keep trying."
Green Jiao wanted to say "you're enjoying bliss while I'm still suffering in hardship!" but held his tongue.
Unaware of Green Jiao's envy, Li Pingcan nodded solemnly.
Since one attempt failed, he'd just have to keep trying to temper his dao heart!
Just then, a "consolation prize" appeared in his hand.
Not a pill this time, but a golden talisman.
[Evil-Warding Talisman (Gold): Absorbs lingering miasma and turbid energies from surroundings or individuals; deals minor damage to approaching weak evil spirits; makes lower-tier evil spirits avoid the bearer.]
Green Jiao exclaimed, "That's a treasure! If you encounter water ghouls or other evil spirits, this will keep you safe."
The vast Dayu River's abundant resources came with dangerous areas - like one perilous zone filled with floating, upside-down corpses, extremely unnerving.
Getting entangled with such spirits could change one's nature entirely, leaving them neither human nor ghost - a ruined life.
Remembering Escort Leader Fang Lin's similar warnings, Li Pingcan happily pocketed it.
Evil spirits were troublesome - this talisman added another layer of protection.
Having gained much today, excitement eventually gave way to exhaustion.
In this mental state, another Bliss Platform attempt would likely be wasted effort.
Li Pingcan decided to return home, rest, strengthen his willpower, and return with Green Jiao in a few days.
It's not like the Dragon Palace would grow legs and run away.
The serpent and fish returned through underwater currents to the canyon.
The canyon was unbearably hot. In its dark depths, clusters of glaring scarlet light hurt the eyes. The fairyland-like white mist was actually scalding steam.
Any ordinary fish or shrimp that somehow reached this place during high tide would've been cooked alive passing through here.
A thought struck Li Pingcan - could there be fire spirit energy beneath this canyon?
But the extreme heat was prohibitive. Just the upper layers were unbearable - he had no desire to become grilled fish.
"Once my fire control skill maxes out and my resistance improves, I'll explore this canyon's depths."
Such anomalous places often housed anomalous spirits.
While water and fire were both merciless - water could suffocate, but fire's physical destruction was more violently terrifying.
"Green Jiao, how do I find you after the tide recedes?" Li Pingcan asked. Once Qing River's high tide ended, the underwater passage would close.
"Simple." Green Jiao plucked a scale from his hidden dragon skin. "Hold this and call my name."
"Got it, thanks brother."
Dawn approached as Li Pingcan prepared to leave, when Green Jiao blushed (if snakes could blush), "Brother... could you... you know... give me another round?"
Thorn Whip?
Easy enough.
After all Green Jiao's help, Li Pingcan wasn't about to refuse. Countless water weeds transformed into thorns, dancing wildly around the green serpent!
Green Jiao rolled his eyes back, mouth agape with drool, wearing an expression of ecstatic bliss.
Watching this ridiculous scene, Li Pingcan covered his face with a fin - too embarrassing!
It's just an itch-scratching session, brother! Why are you acting like you're high?!
...........
Morning mist swirled as a bird pierced the clouds, returning to the Li household through faint light.
Seeing the untouched letter on the table, Li Pingcan controlled candle flames to burn it completely.
Had he been delayed, this letter would've eased his parents' worries.
But since everything went smoothly, better to burn it.
In the following days, Li Pingcan's life remained fulfilling - even busy.
The Bliss Platform failure made him examine his inner desires.
The Heart-Testing Platform was painful, but his two lifetimes' experiences differed greatly. This life's unprecedented familial love helped distinguish illusion from reality, allowing quick awakening.
The Bliss Platform was different - filled with endless worldly desires, truly blissful.
"Desires arise from lack, yet human wants are endless, never truly satisfied."
To pass the Bliss Platform, he didn't need to suppress desires, but learn delayed gratification.
Li Pingcan began special training - delaying gratification for all desires, starting with small things like delicious food or victories, calming his mind first to achieve spiritual clarity.
Time flowed like water - another autumn arrived.
Li Pingfu had firmly established himself in Flat Peach Town. His nine-year-old disciple Sun Zheng showed remarkable talent, boosting Li Family Martial School's prestige as it quietly became the town's top school.
"Pingfu-ge." Li Yuan hurried into the school's meditation chamber with an invitation, finding Li Pingfu sitting quietly.
In one year, the once-ferocious beast had become utterly unassuming, aura completely contained, showing no trace of Divine Execution Realm's might.
This very subtlety made Li Yuan even more respectful - it signaled Pingfu-ge had reached perfect qi control.
Despite Li Yuan's own diligent training (reluctantly funded by Li Fang to purchase a Blood Qi Pill, successfully advancing to Blood Qi Realm at the cost of marrying a young lady who was now pregnant), the gap between them remained vast.
"What is it?"
Li Pingfu didn't consider himself important, treating brothers as always.
"Yunshui County's Martial Alliance sent an invitation. The new magistrate is organizing an autumn hunt pitting civilian experts against military officers to see who can bag more treasure beasts in Spirit Mountains."
"Spirit Mountains" wasn't a specific peak, but a term for mountains with relatively dense spiritual energy.
These gifted lands were already immortals' private properties, inaccessible to commoners.
Natural ranges like Peach Blossom Mountain and Taichang Mountain lacked restrictions but also lacked valuable resources - ordinary Blood Qi herbs were considered "treasures," while true spiritual plants and beasts were virtually unfindable.
Of course, some dangerously unrestricted places like Dayu River existed, but even martial artists and immortals might not return from such expeditions.
"This might not be good news." Li Pingfu accepted the invitation pensively.
New officials always made displays. This immortal magistrate's generosity in allowing Spirit Mountain hunts might be a ploy to purge local military factions.
Best not get involved in such schemes.
But refusing a Martial Alliance invitation would offend them, while attending might prove troublesome.
"Reply that Li Family Martial School will participate."
Life was like sailing against currents - stagnating meant regressing.
One simply weighed options to make the most advantageous choices at each juncture.
Li Pingfu instructed Li Yuan, "Check if the other three school heads received invitations. If so, send them invites."
The Spirit Mountain hunt's situation was unclear - forming alliances with familiar faces was prudent.
As Li Yuan acknowledged, noisy commotion erupted outside - including a woman's shouts.
"Li Pingfu! Li Pingfu! Come out!"
Li Yuan frowned. Lin Xiaowu, daughter of Vermilion Bird School's Lin Fengwu, was here to harass Pingfu-ge again?
Li Pingfu looked equally resigned, waving Li Yuan off. "I'll handle this."
Exiting the chamber, he saw a red-clad young woman aggressively confronting Li School disciples, chin raised proudly like a haughty swan, whip lashing to leave white marks on stone tiles.
"Li Pingfu! If you don't come out, I'll smash your school's stone qilin!"
Her usual tactic.
Hehe, she knew his weaknesses!
As her whip threatened to strike a disciple, a hand materialized from nowhere to catch the lash mid-air.
Li Pingfu's dark outfit fluttered slightly, expression calm. "What does Miss Lin want?"
Lin Xiaowu tugged futilely at her trapped whip, ears reddening as she glared.
"I want to join your county hunt! Refuse, and I'll destroy your stone qilin!"
"That's not my decision to make."
Releasing the whip sent the straining Lin Xiaowu stumbling backward. Li Pingfu said coolly, "Since I can't fulfill Miss Lin's wish, go ahead and smash the qilin."
He stood impassively, watching to see if she'd actually dare.
"You- you bully! I'm telling Mother!"
Stamping her feet furiously, Lin Xiaowu tried whipping again, only to have it caught once more. Feeling humiliated, she covered her face and fled the school in tears.
Bewildered disciples exchanged glances.
Xie Xiaodao teased, "Big bro, your romantic karma's terrifying! How'd you provoke this?"
Being Lin Xiaowu's crush was misfortune - while pretty, her temper made her whip-happy nature unbearable.
Compared to her, even a shrewish wife seemed gentle!
The terrified disciples nodded emphatically.
Li Pingfu sighed helplessly. Devoted to martial arts, he'd never courted trouble - this was simply rotten peach blossom luck.
...........
Apricot Blossom Tavern.
Flat Peach Town's four martial school heads gathered to share information.
"Ah!"
Shen Xiaotian's drink couldn't wash away his gloom. "My Yunshui County contact revealed the new magistrate wants to purge local elites' military appointees, hence this hunt."
Would county powerhouses surrender quietly?
If the magistrate was a powerful dragon, Yunshui's established families were local snakes!
Such conflicts inevitably turned bloody.
When immortals fought, mortals suffered!
Li Pingfu said, "With over ten towns participating, chaos is certain. Only by allying, helping each other, moving cautiously together can we withdraw safely."
Lei Zhenshan agreed.
His White Tiger School was just a branch - he'd eventually join Yunshui's main school, but more allies never hurt.
Initially resentful of Li Pingfu surpassing their schools these past two years, they'd gradually accepted it.
Now facing life-or-death situations, they secretly hoped Li Pingfu would grow even stronger.
"No objections to allying."
Lin Fengwu glanced meaningfully at Li Pingfu. "School heads can bring two assistants. I'm taking Xiaowu - she's Blood Qi Realm now, promising future, but too emotionally invested."
Li Pingfu frowned slightly but remained silent, considering his own choices.
Despite risks, hunting treasure beasts and sharing their flesh represented incredible opportunities.
...........
Li Household.
Li Pingfu explained the hunt to his family.
"The new Yunshui magistrate is mid-stage Qi Refining, specializing in formations."
"Yunshui has three major families - Zhao, Wang, Zhou. The Zhao family opposes the magistrate most, having their own mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator, hence their confidence."
"The hunt lets all sides employ tactics. Regardless of outcome, casualties will be civilian martial artists and family-trained Divine Execution officers - no core losses."
At the immortal magistrate's level, power struggles became more... civilized.
While town-respected school heads were merely pawns in their games.
"Who will you bring? Li Yuan or..." Li Rongzhou asked, glancing at Li Pingcan.
Li Pingcan considered, "Elder brother, who are the others bringing?"
"Lin is bringing his daughter, Lei his son, Shen his brother..."
Li Pingfu immediately realized - to school heads, the hunt represented opportunity more than danger. Not bringing family would be unnatural.
All endeavors carried risk - with alliances, this hunt was relatively safe.
"Second brother studies, father guards home - I'll go."
Li Pingcan decided.
He kept low profile but wasn't a recluse. Over-hiding would raise suspicions.
As long as he avoided using active skills like talismans before the magistrate, passive abilities like Animal Speech and Nature's Gift could still help.
Early Qi Refining cultivators couldn't project spiritual sense - their perception might not even surpass his own.
Moreover, after two years of accumulation using treasures from Qing River, his martial arts had reached Blood Qi Realm's peak, ready to breakthrough to Divine Execution anytime.
Late night.
"Must find a way to breakthrough to Divine Execution."
While proud of his sons' excellence, Li Rongzhou felt unprecedented pressure. Gazing at distant stars, he took a deep breath.
In their glorious future, his usefulness would diminish - from cornerstone to potential burden.
But even so, any strength gained could contribute to the family's growth.