Today's events reinforced a truth for Li Pingcan.
Beyond blood-related family, no one could be trusted—especially those immortal cultivators!
"I've been too flashy in my actions before, not cautious enough," Li Pingcan reflected.
Though he consciously hid his abilities daily, Little Black's supernatural nature and the mushrooms' unnatural deliciousness left traces.
With cultivators possessing heaven-defying methods and himself still weak, what resistance could a mere Level 2 Druid offer if discovered?
"The more natural and low-key, the better. In other words, family development should rely on ordinary means initially."
Like genuinely mastering mushroom cultivation techniques instead of using [Spore Growth] to generate delicacies. Or expanding peach orchards without repeatedly discovering rare treasures through Druid skills.
Ultimately, the Druid heritage was his core foundation—but it must remain a family secret!
A secret known by too many ceases to be secret.
This wasn't just self-protection—it safeguarded his family too.
Since discovering the three-eyed idol, Li Pingcan grew increasingly discreet and steady.
Raising centipedes, grinding skill proficiency, and martial arts foundations became his daily routine.
One day, a letter arrived from the distant Barren Wastes.
"Father, who's it from?"
Having just finished a fist routine, drenched in sweat, Li Pingcan chugged the burning "low-grade" Purple Centipede Paste solution to rapidly replenish his Blood Qi.
Receiving no reply, he looked up puzzled to see Li Rongzhou gripping the envelope tightly, knuckles whitening, eyes brimming with tears.
Suddenly looking up excitedly, Li Rongzhou lifted his son in a crushing hug. "They're alive! Master and martial uncles all survived!"
The suffocating embrace forced Li Pingcan to punch his father's shoulder for air. "Father's master... from the White Crane Dojo?"
"Yes!" Li Rongzhou gazed at the letter, explaining slowly: "When disaster struck, we fled the city hastily. Later we heard chaos erupted inside—no news of your grandmaster's fate."
For four years, Li Rongzhou never stopped seeking information, finally receiving this distant letter.
"Master was gravely injured protecting his wife. Disciples scattered when rioters looted silver. They eventually became refugees receiving government aid, settling in the Barren Wastes."
Li Rongzhou frowned worriedly—what kind of recuperation could the Barren Wastes provide?
Who'd imagine a peak Blood Qi expert capable of manifesting "Blood Qi Dragons" would be reduced to this by a casual immortal's palm strike?
"Father, send grandmaster some herbs and silver," Li Pingcan suggested, unwilling to see his father distressed. Their family finances had improved enough to help.
Li Rongzhou nodded, touched by his son's filial piety while simmering with fresh anger toward those lofty immortals.
Seasons cycled—autumn to spring, summer to winter.
Three years of exchanged letters built bonds worth ten thousand gold.
Spring swallows darted through sunlight toward households, while Little Black in his mushroom cap deliberately flew parallel to startle them, cawing mischievously.
"Little Black, you're at it again," Li Pingcan sighed through their shared vision at the raven now resembling an eagle—sharp talons, hawklike eyes, broad wings, elongated neck, mushroom-capped head.
When max-level [Nature's Gift] generated the [Blessing] trait, it no longer just provided mysterious destiny boosts but anchored/enhanced specific abilities.
Post-blessing, Little Black became this sky-dominating menace—powerfully fierce yet retaining his obnoxious personality.
Of course, blessings had downsides—Little Black's intimidating presence scared off potential mates, leaving only village hens as playmates...
[Nature's Gift] also unusually spawned a second trait—[Good Fortune], usable only by Li Pingcan as a passive. Most visibly, he never lost dice bets with brothers.
Other maxed skills included:
[Elemental Amplification] → [Double Effect]
[Glowshroom] → [Marking]—producing special fluorescence to secretly tag targets, visible only to the caster at night.
Ignoring the raven, Li Pingcan resumed planting. At seven years old, his sapling survival rate exceeded 60%, far surpassing his four-year-old self.
"This one took root." Kneeling, he examined a heart-leafed paper mulberry sapling—a species thriving even in poor soil, perfect for experience bonuses.
Of course, to prevent competition with peach trees, he'd periodically remove them—burning bridges after crossing them.
His peculiar daily routines gradually earned him a reputation as Peach Blossom Village's "eccentric."
He didn't mind—it facilitated undisturbed planting. Besides, his rich inner world needed no external validation.
These three diligent years saw his Druid level surpass LV3, gaining many practical skills.
"Finished today's planting."
Washing muddy hands in the creek, clear water reflected a handsome face—well-proportioned, soft-featured like Lady Qin's, currently wearing a smug expression.
"Already this good-looking—definitely becoming a dashing youth."
Unlike his sharp-browed, angular brothers resembling their father, he preferred scholarly elegance.
Sauntering home post-planting, sudden shrill taunts pierced the air as a pebble whizzed past.
Catching the stone effortlessly, Li Pingcan eyed the bullying children.
"Those who differ face exclusion."
But should he conform to their mediocrity?
Smirking, he channeled emerald light into the stone before tossing it back—landing feather-light yet triggering a howl from the catcher.
"Activated 'Sting' huh?" he mused. This [Enchanted Stone] spell from the transformation tree randomly imbued mundane stones with magical effects.
No visible marks meant no evidence if they tattled.
"As a Druid, I've a hundred ways to make you cry!" he thought viciously.
Nothing improved moods like making brats sob.
Returning home cheerfully, he found Lady Qin holding a little girl's hand.
"Can'er, greet your sister," she beamed.
Before him stood an exquisite black-haired loli peering timidly with luminous eyes. "Hello, Brother Can," she murmured sweetly.
Perhaps children weren't so detestable after all!