Another spring arrived in the blink of an eye.
In the backyard of the Li Family Mansion, the small Soulwood sapling had grown into a proper tree, just like the Mulberry Spirit Tree, with a lush canopy and multicolored light shimmering through its leaves.
Under the dual nourishment of the Druid training site and the Spirit Gathering Formation, this place had long become a blessed land. Ordinary people would feel refreshed and free from ailments after just one day spent here.
Li Pingcan sat beneath the tree, brewing a pot of light tea while watching his one-year-old daughter Li Mengyue learn to walk in the courtyard.
With the Moonlight Microbeams bloodline inheritance, he had assumed his daughter would grow up to be a quiet and graceful young lady, like a fairy beneath the moonlight.
Little Mengyue was indeed quiet—she spent most of her time sleeping. But once awake, her energy was downright overwhelming.
What was even more outrageous was her terrifying strength.
When she had just learned to crawl, she could drag a stone stool heavier than herself with one hand.
Now, at just one year old, she could already walk unsteadily. When faced with an ordinary doorstep, she would lift her short little leg and—*crack!*—leave a gaping hole in it.
The first time Lady Qin witnessed this, she was so frightened her heart nearly leaped out of her chest, thinking a ghost had invaded their home.This gave Li Pingcan an inexplicable sense of worry.
He often propped his chin in his hand, watching his daughter's boundless energy with a furrowed brow.
*Would this child grow up to become a muscle-bound, ox-punching warrior princess?*
An image of a twin-tailed girl with eight-pack abs flashed through his mind, sending a shiver down his spine.
With concern, he turned to Xie Yuan beside him and said, "Yuan'er, do you think... our daughter might grow up to be a muscle-bound warrior?"
His mind even conjured up a vision of his little girl clad in heavy armor, wielding a giant axe, casually twisting people's heads off without a second thought.
*Pfft!*
Xie Yuan couldn't help but laugh at his distressed expression. Covering her mouth, she chuckled lightly, "Husband, don't talk nonsense. Our daughter's strength is a blessing. Besides, a woman's physique is different from a man's. No matter how strong she gets, she'll only develop an elegant figure, not turn into what you're imagining."
Even so, watching her daughter happily swinging a rock around, Xie Yuan couldn't help but secretly marvel.
This strength might even surpass that of her nephew Li Mengjin, who had trained in martial arts since childhood.
"Daddy! Hug!"
Little Mengyue, seemingly tired from playing, dropped the rock and toddled unsteadily toward Li Pingcan, stretching out her chubby little arms.
All of Li Pingcan's worries instantly vanished. He scooped his daughter into his arms and planted a big kiss on her delicate little face.
*Ah, well. So what if she's muscular? She's my own flesh and blood—I won't complain.*
A voice suddenly echoed in his mind.
*"Little Carp, can you tell your daughter to stop staring at me? It's creeping me out."*
Turning his gaze, he saw Qing Jiao—Lady Qin—transformed into a small green snake coiled around a tree branch.
Ever since the beast calamity battle, Qing Jiao had taken up residence with the Li family under the pretense of "experiencing mortal life and stabilizing my cultivation," though in reality, she was just drawn to the dense spiritual energy of the training site and the soul-nourishing Soulwood.
The Li family had long grown accustomed to having a snake in their courtyard, moving past their initial shock.
Lady Qin lazily flicked her tail against a branch while warily eyeing the tiny figure in Li Pingcan's arms.
Instead of being afraid, Little Mengyue's eyes lit up as if she had discovered a fascinating new toy.
She wriggled out of Li Pingcan's embrace and wobbled over to Qing Jiao.
Then, with her tiny hands, she grabbed hold of the green snake's tail—which was thicker than her own arm—and...
...started swinging it around like a jump rope, cheerfully chanting, "Heave-ho! Heave-ho!"
Xie Yuan gasped, covering her mouth in shock.
As for Qing Jiao, the snake in question, she was utterly dumbfounded.
Staring blankly at her own tail being whipped around by a toddler, her serpentine face bore an expression of existential crisis.
*Is... is this reasonable?*
She, a peak late-stage first-rank spirit beast, the overlord of Qing River, was being used as a jump rope by a one-year-old baby?
*"Little Carp, your daughter... she's not human either!"*
"Hahaha!"
Li Pingcan couldn't hold back his laughter at Qing Jiao's flabbergasted expression.
.................
Soon, it was time for Little Mengyue's Zhua Zhou ceremony.
In recent years, the Li family had kept a low profile, rarely hosting banquets.
Though this was just a small private celebration for their granddaughter, inviting only a few close friends, their reputation ensured that nearly every prominent figure in Yunshui County came knocking.
The reason was simple—the Li family's current influence.
By early morning, the Li Family Mansion was packed with guests.
Zhao Huafeng, chief escort of Weiyuan Escort Agency; Jiang Han, master of Jiang Family Sword Dojo; Lei Zhenshan of White Tiger Martial Arts School... these old friends of the Li family arrived early.
Those who had past conflicts with the Li family or sought to curry favor also came bearing lavish gifts, all smiles as if they were lifelong companions.
Even the reclusive Su family, Yunshui County's only immortal cultivation clan, sent gifts. Magistrate Wen, who usually kept to himself, also sent congratulations, giving the Li family plenty of face.
Li Pingfu stood tall, exchanging pleasantries with colleagues.
After the beast calamity battle, though his merits had been largely erased by that old fox Wei Yanzheng—resulting in a mere "offsetting of merits and faults" evaluation—he remained unbothered.
Compared to empty official titles, his family's safety and Yunshui County's peace mattered more.
Staying in Yunshui County, guarding this land, and living with his wife, children, and parents—he was content.
But Jiang Ling'er thought differently.
Watching her husband, she felt an indescribable bitterness and injustice.
After the beast tide, Li Pingfu had performed heroic deeds, yet due to Wei Yanzheng's words, he remained stuck as County Captain.
"Husband, Wei Yanzheng is clearly jealous of talent. You risked your life defending the city, yet he casually dismissed your contributions! This world is too unfair!" she said, aggrieved on his behalf.
Li Pingfu merely smiled, taking her hand gently. "Ling'er, what I seek isn't high rank or wealth—just a little less suffering and a bit more stability for the people under my care."
Jiang Ling'er still couldn't swallow her anger. Her husband had bled and sacrificed, only to receive such unfair treatment—how could she not ache for him?
She even worried—would their son Yuanhu face the same fate when he grew up?
In this world ruled by celestial officials, were martial artists doomed to remain pawns?
Lost in thought, she was brought back by the lively atmosphere in the hall.
The Zhua Zhou ceremony had begun.
A massive redwood table was laden with various items—writing brushes, ink, paper, inkstones; swords, spears, and halberds; abacuses and ledgers; rouge and powder... a dazzling array.
Little Mengyue, held by Lady Qin, was placed at the center of the table.
The little one showed no shyness, her bright black eyes curiously scanning everything around her.
"My dear granddaughter, go ahead—pick what you like," Lady Qin encouraged with a smile.
All eyes were fixed on the tiny figure.
"I bet she'll grab that sword! With her strength, she's a born martial prodigy!" Lei Zhenshan stroked his beard confidently.
"Nonsense," Zhou Enxian chuckled. "With her delicate features and spiritual aura, she might choose the scholarly tools."
Amid the lively discussion, Little Mengyue finally moved.
She ignored the imposing sword and the exquisite writing tools.
Instead, her chubby little hand reached out—under everyone's stunned gazes—and grabbed...
...a plain, unremarkable green willow branch that Li Pingcan had placed in the corner as filler.
Everyone exchanged bewildered looks.
*What... what kind of choice was this?*
Skipping over weapons, writing tools, and glittering gold items—she picked a willow branch?
But Li Pingcan's heart stirred.
That willow branch wasn't ordinary—it was a twig from the Mulberry Spirit Tree, infused with pure life and natural energy.
"Excellent choice!"
Li Pingcan lifted his daughter and kissed her cheek. "Returning to simplicity—the Heavenly Dao's selection!"
Though most were still confused, they quickly joined in the praise.
"Indeed! The Third Young Master is absolutely right! Great wisdom appears foolish!"
"Willow branches have always symbolized warding off misfortune—this child will surely live a blessed life!"
And so, the small Zhua Zhou ceremony concluded amidst flattery.
.............
Night.
Inside the cave dwelling at Listening Wind Cliff.
Li Pingcan sat cross-legged, his spiritual energy surging.
"It's about time."
Over the past year, he had fully absorbed the second-rank beast meat and supplemented it with pills obtained through various means, naturally reaching the peak of Refining Qi Stage Five.
Now, that barrier melted away like thin ice under the spring sun.
Refining Qi Stage Six!
*"Haaa..."*
With a long exhale, his divine light retracted inward, his aura reaching perfect harmony.
A more immense and refined spiritual energy erupted from his dantian, coursing through his entire body.
His divine sense expanded once more, now capable of covering nearly half of Spirit Mountain.
"The peak of mid-stage Refining Qi—just one step away from late-stage."
Li Pingcan sighed inwardly—his arduous cultivation had been worth it.
The path of immortality was long, but he hadn't neglected martial arts either, forging a new path.
Rising to his feet, he stepped onto the open ground outside the cave and slowly closed his eyes.
In his mind, the *Heaven and Earth Furnace Body Tempering Art* and *Five Spirit Play* complemented each other. His physique had long surpassed the Divine Martial Realm, his blood qi incomparably robust, his bones and tendons unbelievably tough.
He no longer deliberately distinguished between the two arts, instead merging their essence into himself.
His body *was* the Heaven and Earth Furnace capable of containing all things.
The Five Elements' power was the fuel; the Five Spirits' essence was the flame.
Every breath further tempered his body at the deepest level.
His Martial Way Golden Body became increasingly translucent and perfected under this daily refinement, that drop of golden True Essence gradually taking on a prismatic glow.
Then—a moment of enlightenment.
His eyes snapped open.
There were no earth-shaking phenomena—everything unfolded naturally.
The golden drop of solidified True Essence in his dantian trembled before transforming into a tiny vortex, voraciously devouring his blood qi and spiritual energy.
Feeling this power comparable to Foundation Establishment, Li Pingcan's mind became utterly serene.
.............
With his cultivation greatly advanced, Li Pingcan turned his attention back to the Emerald Dream.
Since Li Mengyue's birth, the dream had reopened the ancient ruins.
Amidst the dream's rubble, that blurred figure of a sword cultivator materialized once more.
This time, it seemed to sense Li Pingcan's progress—its sword intent sharper than ever.
"We meet again, 'Teacher.'"
Li Pingcan smiled slightly. This time, he didn't wait for the opponent to strike first.
With a flick of Awakening Thunder, he unleashed the last five stances of *Thirteen Wind Returning Swords* in one fluid motion.
The gentleness of brushing willow, the speed of flowing light, the continuity of rolling clouds, the cunning of finding gaps, the eeriness of silence...
Five completely different sword intents merged seamlessly into an inescapable net of blades.
The divine consciousness fragment, unprepared for such rapid progress, showed a rare moment of disarray in its fixed "programming," forced into retreat.
Li Pingcan pressed his advantage, shifting stances again.
"Sixth stance—Returning Wind!"
The sword light became erratic, like chaotic gusts in a valley—utterly unpredictable.
The fragment, struggling to keep up, finally left a fatal opening.
"Now!"
Li Pingcan's eyes flashed. Channeling the essence of *Five Spirit Play* to its limit, he thrust forward!
*Clang!*
A crisp sound—the sword formed from sword intent shattered instantly!
The divine consciousness fragment burst into scattered motes of light under this strike.
[You have defeated the remnant will of an ancient sword cultivator. *Thirteen Wind Returning Swords* inheritance completed.]
A far vaster comprehension of sword dao flooded his mind—the remaining eight stances now fully mastered.
Returning Wind, Splitting Stone, Piercing Clouds, Severing Water, Formless, Sudden Rain, Startling Thunder, the Abyss.
"Finally complete."
Li Pingcan closed his eyes, standing motionless for a long time as he digested these insights.
When he reopened them, his entire bearing had subtly changed—a new sharpness gleamed in those typically gentle eyes.
Gazing at the ancient iron sword in his hand, he focused his will.
"Wind Return, the Abyss!"
A single swing—no earth-shaking force, just a sword light faster than thought, here and gone in an instant.
The dream mist ahead split along a hairline crack.
Though it mended in moments, this proved his sword had touched the threshold of a higher realm.
.............
Peach Blossom Village, back mountains.
Li Mengjin hugged his ever-present shortsword Shadow Fang, watching his father intently.
Li Pingcan, wielding a willow branch, demonstrated *Thirteen Wind Returning Swords* with graceful movements.
"Mengjin, watch closely. The sword isn't about brute force—it's the wind, the clouds, the ever-flowing 'momentum' of heaven and earth."
As he spoke, he demonstrated, imparting not just the complete sword art but his own hard-won insights without reservation.
Sometimes the sword was like gentle rain, nurturing silently; sometimes like a tempest, sweeping all before it; sometimes like lightning, vanishing in a flash.
Li Mengjin's talent was truly one in ten thousand.
What took ordinary swordsmen years or decades to grasp, he mastered as easily as eating or drinking.
With minimal guidance, he could extrapolate entire principles, his swordplay growing more profound by the day.
"Fourth stance—Finding Gaps!"
With a light shout, his wooden sword became a blur, precisely striking the weakest point in an unbroken waterfall curtain.
*Splash!*
The torrent was cleanly severed for a brief moment!
"Fifth stance—Silence!"
The sword moved without sound, slicing through a bluestone—leaving a cut smooth as polished mirror.
Li Pingcan watched with shock and pride.
*I had to beg teachers and suffer beatings to learn this, plus dreamworld 'enlightenment'... yet this kid picks it up like child's play?*
*This innate sword physique is downright unfair!*
But complaints aside, seeing his son's surpassing talent filled him with paternal pride.
With such an exceptional heir, how could the Li family not flourish?
The saplings were growing, and the family's pillars were taking shape.
Li Yuanhu had become a heroic seventeen-year-old youth—tall, muscular, with piercing tiger-like eyes and an indomitable aura.
With the help of Soulwood leaves, he had not only mastered *Five Elements Body Conditioning Technique* but also condensed his rampant blood qi into his first strand of Postnatal True Force half a year ago, stepping into the Postnatal Realm!
A seventeen-year-old Postnatal expert!
If this news spread, it would shake all of Yunshui County.
That day, he approached his father Li Pingfu during training.
"Father, I want to take the military examinations."
For ordinary martial artists, the military exams were the best path to advancement—a chance to become an officer and make a name for themselves.
Li Yuanhu got straight to the point, his voice steady.
Li Pingfu paused, studying his son's face—70% similar to his own, yet more resolute—before speaking quietly.
"Have you thought this through?"
"I have."
Li Yuanhu nodded firmly. "I don't want to live under the protection of you and uncles forever. The men of the Li family should achieve merit and defend our homeland!"
His words rang with conviction.
Li Pingfu saw his younger self in that gaze.
"Good! That's the spirit."
He stepped forward, clapping his son's shoulder heavily. "Worthy of being Li Pingfu's son! Go forth—give it your all!"
"Yes, Father!"
Li Yuanhu grinned, white teeth flashing—a smile as bright as the rising sun.