As the thin mist gradually dispersed, Li Pingcan arrived at Peach Blossom Village, covered in dust, at dawn.

Li Family backyard.

Pushing open the gate, he immediately saw his father Li Rongzhou practicing fist techniques in the courtyard. The old man was still performing the familiar Five Spirit Play, but today's execution carried a subtle difference. Each movement no longer merely resembled the forms but now contained a trace of genuine lethal intent.

The tiger's ferocity, the crane's agility, the bear's steadiness... The five distinct essences flowed seamlessly, faintly stirring the surrounding air currents and creating soft whistling sounds.

"Father," Li Pingcan called softly.

Li Rongzhou slowly retracted his stance, exhaling a long stream of white qi that condensed visibly in the chilly morning air. Turning to face his youngest son, a faint smile of contentment appeared on his face.

"You're back."

No excessive words were needed between father and son - their mutual understanding required no elaboration.

Li Pingcan briefly recounted the events of the previous night, including the shocking conspiracy about the "Endless Testing Site," leaving nothing out, not even the gruesome scene of the Saint Enforcer's self-detonation.

Rongzhou's expression darkened instantly, anger flashing in his eyes.

"This world remains turbulent after all. The Endless Life Sect isn't just another common cult but genuine heresy."

He sighed, glancing toward the kitchen where Lady Qin and Xie Yuan were cheerfully preparing breakfast for the family.

Li Pingcan lowered his voice, "I plan to upgrade our household's Mysterious Tracking Formation for absolute security."

This had been one of his contingency plans - anyone attempting forced entry would become lost within the formation. But now it felt insufficiently reliable.

Li Rongzhou nodded, then added, "Can'er, guarding against thieves for a thousand days isn't a sustainable strategy. Constant defense will only exhaust us."

His insight surpassed all others.

"I understand," Li Pingcan acknowledged seriously.

No further words were exchanged between father and son - such was their mutual trust and understanding.

Returning to the backyard, Li Pingcan began reforging the formation.

"Fortunately, materials aren't lacking."

Two-hundred-year-old locust wood, wind-stabilizing stone, dark abyss water, morning dew soil... The materials obtained from his elder brothers represented the finest treasures in the entire county, including some basic low-grade spirit materials.

All accumulated through months of "confiscation."

He meticulously inspected the original formation, extracting all foundational flags and arrays for re-refinement.

This time, he wasn't merely setting up the Mysterious Tracking Formation but using it as a base while incorporating elements of illusion and killing arrays.

Spiritual energy flowed through his fingertips like butterflies threading through flowers as he inscribed intricate, profound array patterns onto the ground.

"Conceal the mystery as essence, hide the spirit as function..."

"Tracking as surface, killing as core..."

Array patterns ten times more complex than before took shape effortlessly beneath his fingertips. His absolute focus made him seem one with the surrounding world, each stroke resonating with the ambient spiritual energy.

An entire day passed.

When Li Pingcan placed the spirit stone into the formation's eye, the entire grand array emitted a faint hum before completely vanishing without a trace.

From outside, the Li family compound appeared as an ordinary rural residence, but any ill-intentioned intruder would instantly lose their bearings as if trapped in an endless maze, potentially triggering the hidden killing array for a thunderous strike.

"Success!"

Li Pingcan exhaled deeply, a satisfied smile appearing on his face.

He named this new grand formation the Seven Spirit Array. Incorporating seven functions - concealment, spirit hiding, tracking, spirit gathering, defense, warning, and killing - it could autonomously absorb natural spiritual energy over time for continuous self-repair and strengthening.

"Even an Innate Realm expert would be trapped for at least an hour or two within this formation."

Though somewhat reassured, his worries didn't completely dissipate.

No matter how strong the formation, it remained passive defense.

His family could stay indoors temporarily, but they couldn't live forever in this "cage."

How could one guard against thieves indefinitely?

Late at night, in tranquil silence.

Li Pingcan sat in his cave dwelling, moonbeams like water illuminating his calm expression.

He wasn't cultivating but thinking rapidly.

The household formation had been upgraded to impregnable strength.

His elder brothers in the county had heightened their vigilance.

But all this remained passive defense.

The Endless Life Sect's threat hung over the Li family like a heavy sword, its fall unpredictable.

He couldn't wait, nor did he want to.

Relying on enemy negligence was foolish.

True resolution required absolute power.

"My current strength - second stage of refining qi cultivation combined with Druid skills and Innate Realm - can easily handle ordinary mid-stage qi refining cultivators."

"But against the Endless Life Sect's 'Saint Lord,' a late-stage qi refining cultivator, my current power remains far from 'secure.'"

"I need to grow stronger!"

This thought grew wildly in his mind with unprecedented clarity and urgency.

The path of immortal cultivation required gradual progress, making qualitative leaps difficult in short periods.

The only breakthrough point seemed to be martial arts.

Having reached peak Innate Realm in martial arts with condensed true strength, he seemed separated from the legendary martial pinnacle by only the thinnest barrier.

Divine Martial Grandmaster!

Reaching this realm would trigger a life-level transformation.

His physical body would rival magical artifacts, his true strength becoming endless. With such power, he could confront seventh or eighth stage qi refining cultivators head-on!

Achieving this would render the Endless Life Sect's schemes as insignificant as clay dogs before him.

"This is the path!"

Li Pingcan never doubted his eventual breakthrough to Divine Martial Grandmaster realm. With the Five Spirit Play evolved from the Beast Form Intent that could break physical limits, this step would come naturally.

But with crisis imminent, accelerating his breakthrough required external assistance.

"I need spirit pills that enhance martial power!"

Breaking through to Divine Martial Realm through cultivation alone would be delusional.

The only shortcut lay in finding spirit medicines that could temper the body and stimulate potential.

But how precious were alchemists?

Throughout Yunshui County, alchemists were as rare as phoenix feathers, all connected to Magistrate Liang. This scheming official maintained surface harmony with the Li family while harboring discord. Knowing the Lis sought pills, he would certainly interfere. Moreover, low-level alchemists couldn't refine the pills he needed.

As for prefectural cities, alchemists were treated as honored guests by major immortal sects and prominent families - ordinary people couldn't hope to meet them.

After much deliberation, the only potential solution lay with his second brother Li Ping'an's in-laws - the Mu family's guest alchemist, first-grade superior Alchemist Sun.

Though arrogant, Alchemist Sun's pill-refining skills approached perfection. Having gifted Foundation Stabilizing Pills that could benefit Innate Realm masters, his alchemical prowess was evident.

However, requesting pill refinement empty-handed was taboo. Especially with such eccentric talents, ordinary gold and silver held no value in their eyes. Only spirit materials might offer a chance.

'Looks like I'll be busy again.'

Having made his decision, Li Pingcan formulated plans, coinciding with the monthly Spirit Mountain Treasure Exchange.

Transforming into a nightingale, he flapped his wings toward the old mulberry tree.

......

Night fell, moonlight like water beneath the thousand-year-old mulberry tree.

Tonight's Treasure Exchange buzzed with unusual excitement.

Before Li Pingcan arrived, the five "Spirit Mountain Elders" had already gathered, animatedly boasting to the Nine-Tailed Fox and Omniscient Raven.

"You should've seen it!"

Bear Second's gruff voice rang out as he gesticulated wildly, spraying saliva. "I just went for a casual stroll, took a bath in the river below the mountain, and those human brats screamed like they'd seen a ghost! Pissing themselves in terror! Am I really that scary?"

Tiger Elder's eyes also shone with pride. "That Tunneling Turtle's temper remains foul. Heh, if not for old acquaintanceship, I'd have let him taste my newly practiced tiger claws!"

"I still find the scenery outside less tranquil than our mountains," Crane Fourth remarked elegantly while preening her feathers, though her slightly upturned beak betrayed inner satisfaction.

Nearby, the Nine-Tailed Fox's fluffy tails swished restlessly, her envy obvious. She had long yearned to experience the outside world's bustle. Hearing these simpletons boast made her itch with frustration.

Ah, that fateful misstep during her training that trapped her in Spirit Mountain - truly a single slip causing everlasting sorrow.

Meanwhile, the Omniscient Raven on the branch remained silent, beady eyes darting about, frequently glancing at the vibrant green mulberry leaves hanging at the elders' waists, undisguised desire in its gaze.

Just then, a dark shadow descended from above - Li Pingcan in nightingale form landing steadily on the old mulberry branch.

"Venerable Nightingale!" The spirit beasts bowed respectfully, their demeanor increasingly reverent.

"Fellow daoists, I trust you've been well." Li Pingcan responded courteously.

Before he could continue, the Omniscient Raven could no longer restrain itself, fluttering before him. "Venerable Nightingale! Do you still have any of those Tracking Leaves?"

Called "Omniscient" yet unable to leave Spirit Mountain - what irony!

Suppressing a smile, Li Pingcan pretended to ponder: "These Tracking Leaves consume Mulberry Elder's essence during creation before my refinement. They're indeed scarce... but I have some remaining."

He looked at the raven and asked leisurely, "The Treasure Exchange operates on equivalent exchange. What treasure does Raven Daoist offer in return?"

The raven hesitated, beady eyes darting about rapidly as it calculated.

Its species specialized in gathering information and intelligence - actual rare treasures were beyond its means.

Tentatively, it proposed: "How about three of Spirit Mountain's juiciest gossip secrets? Guaranteed sensational! Like the Nine-Tailed Fox hiding portraits of handsome human men, or Spirit Bear stealing someone's monkey wine last time..."

*Ahem!* The Nine-Tailed Fox and Ape Third simultaneously coughed warningly, glaring fiercely.

"I'm not interested in such matters." Li Pingcan shook his head, making to put away the Tracking Leaves.

"Wait, wait!" The raven panicked. Gritting its beak as if making a tremendous sacrifice, it lowered its voice urgently: "I'll trade you exclusive intelligence about 'Flesh Spirit Fruit'! In all Spirit Mountain, only this bird knows!"

"Flesh Spirit Fruit?"

Li Pingcan's interest stirred - the name alone suggested body enhancement, exactly what he currently needed.

Not only spirit pills could elevate realms.

"Exactly!" Seeing his interest, the raven hurriedly continued: "A natural wonder that tempers us spirit beasts' bodies, enabling complete metamorphosis."

"Reliable information?"

"Absolutely true!" The raven thumped its chest in assurance. "The location is extremely hidden, guarded by demonic beasts. Only my species' unique talents could discover it. I'll disclose the location for just one Tracking Leaf!"

"Deal." Li Pingcan agreed readily, flicking a finger to send a leaf imbued with mulberry spirit tree essence floating before the raven.

The raven grabbed it like priceless treasure, thanking profusely before flying aside to carefully tuck it beneath its wing.

Then it transmitted the information directly into Li Pingcan's mind via spiritual sense.

Absorbing the details, a satisfied smile appeared on Li Pingcan's face.

The Flesh Spirit Fruit seemed tailor-made for him - obtaining it would increase his Divine Martial breakthrough chances by at least thirty percent!

Suppressing his excitement, he turned to the Nine-Tailed Fox.

Producing the Allure Sect's Heavenly Desire Scripture obtained from Su Meiniang, he asked:

"Fox Daoist, this human charm technique is useless to me but might benefit your cultivation. Are you interested?"

The fox accepted the thin manual, and after casually flipping through a few pages, her eyes gleamed brilliantly.

The contents described no profound breathing techniques but a method to cultivate charm magic by channeling emotions and desires - seemingly custom-made for fox spirits.

"What does the Venerable wish in exchange?" Her voice grew even more enchanting, clearly delighted with the item.

"I need spirit materials containing pure life force - the older, the better."

"Giggle, easily done." The fox laughed charmingly, producing a fox-bone glazed bead formed from a fox's remains.

Li Pingcan also exchanged a Tracking Leaf for the fox's spirit material Purple Lightning Bamboo.

He suddenly realized this Nine-Tailed Fox was Spirit Mountain's "wealthy heiress."

Noticing the nightingale's surprise, the Omniscient Raven cackled: "Heh! Venerable, don't be fooled by Nine-Tails' appearance - she's actually a descendant of Qingqiu!"

Li Pingcan understood - a stranded "young miss" from noble lineage, hence her "wealth"!

One set of materials for refinement.

Another as Alchemist Sun's payment.

With these two spirit materials that would make outside cultivators fight tooth and nail, his chances of securing Alchemist Sun's services improved significantly.

Satisfied, Li Pingcan stored the materials away.

Yunshui County, Mu Family Estate, Alchemy Hall.

The courtyard remained scorching with medicinal aromas.

Li Ping'an straightened his attire, took a deep breath, and entered the heavily guarded alchemy courtyard with appropriate junior deference and slight nervousness.

This marked his third visit - the previous two times, alchemy hall attendants had bluntly turned him away with "critical refinement in progress, no visitors allowed."

Though anxious internally, he dared not show it, patiently waiting.

Such eccentric talents typically responded better to soft than hard approaches.

Half an hour later, an alchemy attendant announced: "The Alchemist will see you now."

Heart lifting, Li Ping'an followed the attendant inside. Seeing Alchemist Sun, he bowed deeply with utmost humility: "Alchemist Sun."

"You again? Like a persistent fly!"

Alchemist Sun sat cross-legged before a pill furnace, intently controlling the flames without even glancing up at Li Ping'an's entrance.

"Speak quickly if you have business. This old man is busy - no time for scholarly chatter with you."

The alchemist's temper remained unchanged.

Li Ping'an tensed internally. "Disturbing Alchemist Sun's cultivation is truly inexcusable. However, my elder brother recently achieved a martial breakthrough to Innate Realm but with unstable foundations and fluctuating energy."

"Hearing of Alchemist Sun's peerless alchemy, I boldly come requesting refinement of a 'Martial Foundation Pill' to stabilize his realm."

As he spoke, he presented an ornate box. "These are humble materials I've painstakingly collected. I hope they don't offend the Alchemist's standards."

His words rang with sincere emotion.

Alchemist Sun nodded slightly.

'This boy's temperament isn't bad,' the alchemist thought privately. 'Well, it's just opening a furnace - some extra effort.'

However, his notoriously bad temper prevailed. Without even looking at the box, he scoffed: "Pills for mere martial artists? You think this old man's furnace is your family's kitchen?"

But when Li Ping'an opened the box, his eyes froze involuntarily.

Inside, Purple Lightning Bamboo crackled with energy while the fox-bone glazed bead gleamed, both radiating pure, potent spiritual fluctuations.

"Oh?" Alchemist Sun emitted an involuntary grunt of surprise.

"Century-old Purple Lightning Bamboo with such pure thunder essence - not a shred dissipated!"

"And a fox clan's glazed bead - extremely rare!"

Alchemist Sun's face twitched. Having assumed the Li family possessed no decent materials, he now saw they weren't top-grade but certainly high-quality - more than sufficient for his efforts.

After stiffening momentarily, he snatched the box, stubbornly muttering: "Considering your filial devotion and for Wanqiu girl's sake, this old man will reluctantly help you."

"Understood completely! Everything depends on the Alchemist's will!"

Li Ping'an rejoiced, knowing this eccentric master had acquiesced!

"Enough, enough." Alchemist Sun waved impatiently. "Return in ten days for the pill."