"For example, going into the mountains to search for rare treasures..."
After brief consideration, Li Pingcan dismissed this seemingly tempting idea.
This world indeed had medicinal herbs that could enhance a martial artist's physique and cultivation, but these precious plants grew naturally in dangerous locations—sheer cliffs, deep icy pools—some even guarded by fierce beasts, making harvesting extremely difficult.
Apart from experienced "herb gatherers" who inherited specialized knowledge, ordinary people would simply get lost in the wilderness.
"It's way too difficult!"
"Better to awaken [Plant Growth] and cultivate precious herbs myself—both safer and more low-key, unlike herb gatherers who easily attract envy."
Li Pingcan dug holes, planted trees, and watered them with even greater effort!
"Father has successfully planted 190 trees."
"I've planted 10 trees."
"We're both amazing!"
Li Pingcan reviewed the panel information in his mind.
[Your experience points have reached 200. Successfully leveled up to LV2!]
[You have acquired new branch skills.]
[LV0 Nature's Gift (Cantrip) [Blessing]]
[You can bless living beings. The more nature-revering the creature, the stronger the blessing effect. As a Druid, you will receive increasing favor from nature (passive effect)]
[LV0 Insect Pact (Cantrip) [Swarm]]
[You can contract one insect to become your insect companion in battle (higher intelligence insects have failure chance)]
[LV0 Elemental Amplification (Cantrip) [Element]]
[You can enhance the damage of elemental spells.]
"This is pretty powerful!"
Li Pingcan blinked, his expression delighted.
[Insect Pact] was self-explanatory—an insect version of Animal Companion. His first thought was contracting long-lived centipedes or scorpions, discreet and low-profile.
The only issue was insects' short lifespans, and LV0 only had one contract slot.
[Elemental Amplification] granted stronger spell potency.
But the most surprising was [Nature's Gift].
"Little Black, come here."
The robust black raven flapped over. Li Pingcan cast Nature's Gift on Little Black.
As invisible green light bloomed around the raven, he felt a distinct discomfort as if his vital essence was being drained—this [Nature's Gift] was also a high mana-cost skill!
When the skill ended, there seemed no obvious change.
Li Pingcan pondered, then said: "Little Black, fly up."
The raven nodded humanely and soared skyward with the wind.
After quietly observing, Li Pingcan cast [Dance of the Wind] at Little Black.
The once-gentle breeze transformed into a fierce gale, tiger-pouncing toward the raven.
Just as Little Black's wings wavered in the turbulence, an opposing airflow emerged to collide with the gale, both dissipating into nothingness.
"Nature's Gift didn't just enhance Little Black's wind affinity and flight speed—when endangered, nature's protection would neutralize threats!"
This reminded Li Pingcan of a term—destiny!
Did that make him a child of destiny?
Excitement surged through him.
However, subsequent [Nature's Gift] casts on Little Black showed diminishing returns.
After all, it was just LV0.
"I wonder what traits will emerge when 'Nature's Gift' reaches max level."
Li Pingcan grew eager, determined to max it out!
From then on, Li Pingcan generously bestowed daily minor blessings on family members.
Both to grind proficiency and safeguard his family.
He noticed the blessings worked best on his parents, followed by his brothers.
A vague speculation formed:
"Is it because Father and Mother are my direct blood relatives?"
If true, it meant his future descendants would receive stronger blessings!
Being "Druid" descendants after all!
Extending this logic—if generations underwent this "tempering," growing infinitely closer to nature and earning heaven-earth's favor, couldn't they artificially create "Druids"?
Li Pingcan's eyes sparkled.
Though idealistic with inevitable practical challenges, it was still an aspiration!
Immortal cultivation no longer seemed like pure fantasy.
Laughter filled the household recently.
Li Pingfu's martial training progressed smoothly. With medicinal soups, he advanced from Skin Realm to Flesh Realm.
Li Ping'an's literary inspiration flowed endlessly, producing unique insights that earned frequent praise from Teacher Xie.
Lady Qin even encountered a stranded black fish while washing clothes by the river, joyfully stewing milky-white fish soup!
Even Li Rongzhou experienced unprecedented martial insights, gaining stronger confidence in breakthrough.
"I'll be in secluded cultivation for several days."
Li Rongzhou announced to his family.
"Father, what are the odds?"
Li Pingfu asked first.
As a fellow martial artist, he understood the difficulty of breaking through to "Bone Realm." Skin, Flesh and Sinew Realms were visibly observable, but "Bone" lay hidden beneath—problems wouldn't be immediately apparent.
Thus "Bone Realm" was far more perilous, with high qi deviation risks.
"Fifty percent." Li Rongzhou said.
For martial artists, fifty percent was high enough to attempt.
Li Pingfu remained concerned: "Should we ask Master to safeguard your cultivation?"
"Brother Zhou and I have different lineages—his safeguarding would be useless."
Li Rongzhou declined with a smile: "Pingfu, remember—people must ultimately rely on themselves."
"Good thing my 'Nature's Gift' reached LV1."
Seeing his father's determination, Li Pingcan thought.
Testing showed upgraded blessings had stronger effects—perhaps crucial assistance for Father's breakthrough.
He'd considered waiting until [Nature's Gift] leveled higher for better odds.
But that would shake a martial artist's resolve, risking inner demons.
He could only silently cheer: "Father, you must succeed!"
The so-called seclusion was just a quiet room.
Li Rongzhou calmed his mind, drank the ten-tael silver "Blood-Bone Tonic Soup," and upon activation, performed [Crane Style].
His movements flowed like a white crane—gentle yet precise, breathing long and steady, chest rising rhythmically.
After one set, sweat poured but he didn't pause. Internal energy and medicine transformed into vigor, impacting and compressing bones.
Intense pain came. Li Rongzhou grunted but maintained perfect form, steadfast as steel.
The human body has 206 bones—each refinement meant excruciating pain.
When refining the final three bones, exhaustion overwhelmed him. As Li Rongzhou prepared to gamble everything, a natural breeze enveloped him.
Past training transformed into martial insight; pain lessened. Reinvigorated, he surged forward, conquering the last stubborn bones.