"Li Qian?"

These two words exploded like thunder in Li Pingcan's mind.

How could this be?

He had personally buried that girl's remains. The small safety knot still lay quietly in his storage pouch to this day.

So who was this lively, smiling girl before him now?

Could it just be someone with the same name?

He discreetly observed the master-disciple pair.

The white-haired old man appeared unkempt, but occasional glints of sharpness flashed in his aged eyes. His steady gait and restrained aura clearly marked him as a cultivator of no small skill.

As for the girl calling herself "Li Qian," though she seemed innocent and lively, her bearing carried an innate dignity that couldn't be cultivated in ordinary families. The fact they addressed each other as "master and disciple" most likely indicated they were from a sect.

Seven Stars Sect!

The realization struck Li Pingcan instantly.

Back then, it was likely Seven Stars Sect's immortal who had harmed the real Li Qian.

Now another "Li Qian" with the same name had appeared, even taking a master. What were the odds of such coincidence?

The only explanation was that this girl had assumed the real Li Qian's identity to join Seven Stars Sect.

As for why this master-disciple pair had appeared in Yunshui County now...

Li Pingcan's eyes narrowed. They hadn't come earlier or later, but right after Zhao Wuyou's death.

He refused to believe this was coincidence.

Zhao Wuyou had also been a Seven Stars Sect disciple, albeit an old failure abandoned by the sect. Still, his death wouldn't have gone unnoticed.

Revenge? Retribution? Or fishing in troubled waters?

"Regardless, these two mean no good!"

Though cold determination filled his heart, Li Pingcan maintained his humble facade. He cupped his hands toward the old man with a smile. "It's getting late and I have family matters. Perhaps we'll meet again another time."

After bidding farewell, he turned to leave without any further probing.

The white-haired old man stroked his beard as he watched Liang Zhiyuan's retreating back, a trace of surprise flashing in his cloudy eyes. "Interesting lad. To remain so composed before me—he's no ordinary commoner."

"Master, he was very kind! He treated us to fish!" Li Qian pouted, clearly displeased with her master's suspicious tone.

"You understand nothing," the old man shook his head. "This Yunshui County has been turbulent recently, with even Li Yuanhu meeting his end here. We must proceed with caution."

As Liang Zhiyuan exited Wangjiang Tower, the noise behind him seemed to fade away. He looked up at the sky—the joy he'd felt at his elder brother's promotion had been completely replaced by deep wariness.

Seven Stars Sect was like a viper lying in wait, its fangs ready to strike at any moment.

"Still not strong enough," Liang Zhiyuan sighed quietly, his gaze growing increasingly resolute.

He couldn't handle everything alone—he needed to nurture the next generation.

Returning to the Li family estate, he'd barely entered when he saw Li Pingfu rushing out to meet him.

"Little brother, you're finally back!" Li Pingfu's face carried traces of lingering fear.

"Elder brother, what's happened?" Li Pingcan tensed.

"Do you remember when we deliberately left that Yunshui Mirror in Old Yin Mountain?" Li Pingfu lowered his voice.

"Of course." Li Pingcan nodded. How could he forget such a crucial part of his plan?

"That item...has been recovered by the dynasty." Li Pingfu's voice turned hoarse. "The newly appointed Magistrate Wen received word from the prefecture a few days ago—a Yunshui Mirror has been delivered to him. Apparently, the dynasty's Guardian Immortal deduced its location through celestial calculations and recalled it remotely."

Li Pingcan froze momentarily before breaking out in a cold sweat.

Guardian Immortal!

Celestial calculations!

He felt immense relief that he hadn't gotten greedy with that official seal. With those old monsters' abilities, they could easily have traced it back to him.

"So close, so close!"

A gentleman must be cautious even when alone!

Though he had the Druid training site, this land ultimately belonged to the Yu dynasty. To establish themselves here, they must always maintain reverence toward such colossal powers.

Suppressing his lingering fear, Li Pingcan decided to inventory his recent spoils to distract himself and see if there were any treasures that could strengthen him.

Entering his secret chamber, he emptied all the storage pouches taken from Liang Zhiyuan and Zhao Wuyou.

Pills, spirit stones, magical implements...the small room instantly glittered with treasure.

He first picked up the two artifacts obtained from Zhao Wuyou. One was the ancient bronze mirror Liang Zhiyuan had taken from Zhao Wuyou's corpse, while its counterpart had been in the storage ring Zhao Wuyou left for Li Mengjin.

Li Pingcan placed the two mirrors together.

With a soft "click," the two crescent-shaped mirrors—one yin, one yang—fitted together perfectly to form a complete circular mirror.

Intricate patterns instantly lit up across its surface as an ancient aura washed over him.

"Yin-Yang Mirror!"

Li Pingcan's eyes shone—this was undoubtedly a high-grade magical implement. Eagerly, he channeled his energy into it, attempting to activate it.

Yet the ancient mirror remained as unresponsive as a common stone.

He tried communicating with it through divine consciousness, but again met with no response.

"How strange."

Frowning, Li Pingcan examined the mirror thoroughly, eventually discovering an extremely fine bloodline restriction that blended seamlessly with the patterns.

"A bloodline restriction!"

Understanding dawned on him.

This mirror was a bloodline artifact—only descendants with specific blood could activate it.

Since the mirror had belonged to Zhao Wuyou, the only one who could use it now would be...

"Mengjin!"

Li Pingcan's gaze seemed to pierce through the chamber walls, landing on his babbling second son who was waving a small wooden sword in the backyard.

The Zhao family's treasure would ultimately be inherited by Zhao descendants—though this descendant happened to bear the Li surname, which wasn't a bad deal.

Thinking this, he even felt grateful toward that Zhao family immortal for this generous inheritance!

"Truly, delivering himself to our doorstep with gifts in hand!"

"Son, I'll keep this artifact safe for you until you're older."

In high spirits, Li Pingcan realized that even if he couldn't activate it, the mirror would make excellent armor worn over his heart.

Of course, the main reason was to prevent anyone from targeting his son.

......

Late spring, amidst continuous drizzle.

The humid air nourished clusters of mushrooms scattered inconspicuously among pavilions and towers.

"Master, we've searched for six months. Could that broken mirror not be here at all?"

In a private dining room, Li Qian pouted while poking at her rice with chopsticks. "I'm getting sick of Yunshui County's sweet and sour immortal carp."

After months in Yunshui County, combing every inch of land, they'd found nothing.

"Alas, with the qi opportunity disrupted by Zhao Wuyou, it's no surprise we can't locate it."

The old man sighed, helplessness flashing in his eyes. "We can only wait until someone activates the Yin-Yang Mirror. When its treasure light shoots skyward, we'll come retrieve it."

He said earnestly, "Qian'er, you must understand—that Yin-Yang Mirror is a legacy treasure, crucial for forging your lifebound artifact to carry your upper-grade spiritual roots. We cannot abandon it lightly."

"Oh." Li Qian responded listlessly as she followed her master out.

Li Pingcan watched all this from the shadows, only relaxing when the pair had completely disappeared from Yunshui County.

"Yin-Yang Mirror? Lifebound artifact?"

He repeated these terms silently, his eyes grave.

Given their anxious search, this mirror was clearly extraordinary.

"Seven Stars Sect."

For now, he shelved the matter. The Li family wasn't ready to confront such a sect directly—better to avoid unnecessary trouble.

......

With Liang Zhiyuan no longer around to suppress them, the Li family flourished.

After Li Pingfu's promotion to County Captain, the Li Security Agency cleared the most dangerous "Black Wind Path" between Yunshui County and the prefecture, uprooting several long-established bandit strongholds.

This once-feared route now lay firmly under Li family control, with them handling much of the lucrative trade in silk, medicinal herbs, and minerals traveling north and south.

Meanwhile, Li Qian Martial Arts School's reputation soared after disciple Sun Zheng won last year's "Yunshui Heroes Meet." The title "Tiger Tyrant's Disciple" spread throughout the county, attracting countless talented youths until the school's threshold nearly wore out.

Li Ping'an thrived as well. Instead of immediately consolidating power after taking office, he worked with friend Zhou Junzhi to reorganize long-neglected household registration and tax records.

Through meticulous effort over half a year, he untangled decades of chaotic land deeds and tax evasion schemes used by old gentry families, plugging countless loopholes.

Though this offended many, county tax revenue increased by thirty percent, earning high praise from new Magistrate Wen Yuzhi, who took him as a trusted aide.

Even the Li family's seemingly insignificant preserved peach business, handled by Li Ping'an, became seasonal gifts the Mu family presented to prefecture officials.

Unexpectedly, the finicky wife of a high-ranking official praised the preserves extravagantly, sending them as exotic treasures to the imperial palace where they won the imperial concubine's favor. "Peach Blossom Li" became renowned in the capital, elevating the family's status.

......

Time flowed like water—another spring arrived.

On the training grounds, fourteen-year-old Li Yuanhu practiced vigorously, bare-chested. His bronze skin stretched over muscles that rippled with explosive power. Each punch carried tiger-like force, making the massive stone locks before him hum.

His customized Five Elements Body Conditioning Technique showed remarkable results—Li Yuanhu's blood qi and physical strength far surpassed his peers, even exceeding some adult martial artists who'd just entered the Blood Qi Realm.

"Hu ha!"

Panting, Li Yuanhu stopped, frustration evident.

No matter how hard he trained recently, that barrier to the Divine Execution Realm remained as solid as ever.

"Uncle, am I too stupid?"

He approached Li Pingcan dejectedly. "Father says I have 'bear-tiger strength' but lack 'ape-crane flexibility'—that with only brute force, I'll never touch the threshold of Divine Execution."

"Your father is right, but only half-right."

Li Pingcan smiled, handing him a towel. "You're not stupid—you just haven't had your awakening. True martial arts balance hardness and softness. You only know to charge ahead without understanding how to use skill against strength, flexibility against rigidity—that's why you're stuck."

Picking up a fallen leaf, Li Pingcan flicked it. The leaf seemed alive, tracing a mysterious arc to bypass Li Yuanhu's blocking fist and lightly stick to his forehead.

Startled, Li Yuanhu grabbed at it, but the leaf nimbly evaded him.

"See?" Li Pingcan laughed. "This is 'neutralizing force' and 'borrowing momentum' from the Crane Play. True power isn't about how hard you hit, but how you apply force at the critical moment."

Patiently, he explained the agility of Ape Play and lightness of Crane Play in detail.

Though Li Yuanhu only partially understood, his eyes gradually brightened.

Seeing the time was right, Li Pingcan produced a pitch-black Soulwood leaf shimmering with iridescent light.

"Tiger Cub, you've been stuck for months and your temperament is tempered enough. This leaf is your reward and breakthrough opportunity. Go, meditate on it—I'll guard you."

"Thank you, Uncle!" Li Yuanhu accepted the fragrant leaf reverently.

Sitting cross-legged, he pressed it to his brow and closed his eyes as taught.

The moment the leaf touched him, a cool yet vast spiritual energy flooded his mind. It felt like icy water dousing his head, bringing unprecedented clarity.

Previously obscure techniques and energy flows now appeared vividly in his mind.

The essence of Five Spirit Play interwove within him.

Tiger's might and bear's steadiness transformed from brute strength into an overwhelming "presence."

Ape's agility and crane's lightness evolved from simple evasion into skillful redirection of force.

And deer's serenity acted as catalyst, harmonizing these four distinct powers.

"Roar!"

Behind Li Yuanhu, phantom images of tiger, bear, ape, and crane erupted uncontrollably, showing signs of merging!

His blood qi, guided by this epiphany, began boiling, compressing, and refining furiously!

"Pop!"

An inaudible sound—the unbreakable barrier shattered!

A far more refined "execution energy" birthed from his dantian, circulating through his entire body!

Divine Execution Realm—achieved!

Li Yuanhu's eyes snapped open, two beams of light shooting forth as he threw a punch that created a sharp "crack" in the air—far more powerful than before!

"I broke through!" He stared at his fist in exhilaration.

"Good, very good."

Li Pingcan nodded approvingly, secretly amazed. This boy was a monster—heaven itself was feeding him talent!

His father Li Pingfu had only reached Divine Execution Realm at twenty after great effort. Yet this boy achieved it at fourteen through a single epiphany.

This talent surpassed even his "martial prodigy" father's!

'With martial arts as his path, Li Yuanhu might become the foremost of the Li family's younger generation!'

At the family banquet, three generations of Lis gathered in lively celebration.

Four-year-old Li Mengjin ran about energetically, especially drawn to the weapons adults wore.

Seeing her unruly son, Zhao Sisi adopted a stern tone: "Li Mengjin!"

Little Mengjin froze, then obediently took his seat. Sneaking an ivory chopstick from the table, he began waving it like a sword, making Zhao Sisi sigh in resigned embarrassment.

The family laughed indulgently at the child's antics.

Only Li Pingfu noticed something extraordinary—as a peak Houtian expert nearing the Divine Martial Realm, his perception was exceptionally sharp.

For a brief moment, he'd sensed a faint but incredibly pure "edge" from that chopstick tip!

This wasn't mere child's play—it was an instinctive mastery of weaponry from the soul's depths!

"This..."

He looked to his younger brother, finding Li Pingcan raising a toast with a smug, proud-father grin.

"Innate Sword Body..."

Li Pingfu murmured inwardly, watching his nephew play with the chopstick-sword, eyes filled with anticipation.

Meanwhile, seven-year-old Li Mengze sat quietly beside his mother Xie Yuan, eating delicately with unusual composure for his age.

He rarely spoke, but his clear eyes seemed to see through everything.

When the new steward smiled obsequiously at him, Li Mengze could see the faint yellow glow of "flattery" masking threads of "greedy" gray-black.

When his eldest aunt fussed over the second aunt, beneath the pink glow of affection hid nearly imperceptible discontent.

This was his world—one painted in the colors of good and evil.

Now he could not only distinguish them but also read increasingly complex emotions from their shades, even beginning to hear "hearts."

The family's future was taking shape through these extraordinary children.

Li Rongzhou and Lady Qin had long delegated household affairs to their daughters-in-law.

The elderly couple now enjoyed their golden years playing with grandchildren and gardening—a semi-reclusive idyllic life.

Yet Li Rongzhou's martial arts hadn't stagnated.

Nourished by both the Druid training site and spirit tree, his long-stalled cultivation showed signs of progress again.

In these peaceful years, his spirit quietly grew until breaking through to the Houtian Realm came naturally.