Li Fang ultimately failed to utter that plea for help.  

He had imagined the other party’s mockery, pity, or hypocritical politeness, but never expected such calm detachment—a calmness that seemed to say, "I have long seen through you, but am too lazy to expose it."  

This was more humiliating than any ridicule.  

Almost as if escaping, he left the Li family mansion, a place he once regarded as a “peasant’s den” but now felt like an unreachable shore.  

The villagers’ vague whispers stabbed at his back like needles. Li Fang instantly aged ten years. The once elegant silk robe he wore now looked utterly ridiculous.  

Returning to the sealed gate of the mansion.  

“Master? You didn’t get the silver?” Realizing the Li family had truly fallen, the concubine cruelly complained, “No wonder there’s that useless daughter. The root of the problem is right here…”  

“Enough!” Li Yuan hurried over and immediately scolded upon hearing this.  

Over the years, he had trained in Li Pingfu’s escort agency, having seen the warmth and coldness of human relations and the dangers of the martial world. He was no longer a young boy.  

The Li family’s prosperity and Li Pingfu’s teachings had deeply impressed upon him one truth: blaming heaven and others was the most useless act; only relying on oneself could truly stand tall.  

“Mother, stop crying.”  

Li Yuan’s voice was low but steady. He approached his mother, Huang, gently helping her up. “We won’t live here anymore.”  

He glanced at his father collapsed on the ground. His expression was complex—no hatred, but a faint sense of estrangement and disappointment.  

He took out the savings he had painstakingly accumulated after many trips throughout the south and north, and bought a quiet two-courtyard mansion in another part of the town.  

Ignoring the resentful gazes from his father and the main concubine, he fiercely packed his worn-out luggage and helped the exhausted Huang.  

“Yuan’er, your father…” Huang looked back repeatedly, worry etched on her face.  

“Mother, Father has no hands or feet. Starving to death is death.”  

Li Yuan’s tone was resolute. “I must figure things out for myself. You can’t just rely on some celestial immortal or shady underground friends.  

No matter how bad life is, it’s still better than scraping by outside and being bullied by officials.”  

.........  

Several days ago.  

In a hurry, Li family core members gathered in a secret room after returning to Yunshui County.  

“Father, young master!” Wu Lexian had been a county official for eight years, becoming more cultivated and composed, but now could not suppress his excitement. “Li Pingfu wants to set up the position of ‘County Su Meiniang’!”  

“County Su Meiniang!?” The seven Li family men looked at each other, understanding it was an “official” position but little else.  

Seeing this, the Yunshui County official realized he was the only excited one and began explaining.  

In the Xiaoyu Kingdom, especially in remote counties, cults and demons had recently been causing trouble, deceiving villagers, disturbing peace, and even causing several violent incidents.  

To strengthen local military power and suppress illegal activities, the Songling Prefecture ordered counties to establish armed positions.  

Though the rank was low, it held real authority to assist the county in managing soldiers, patrols, and security.  

If a Postnatal Realm martial artist could be promoted, the original County Captain would step down, and the County Su Meiniang position would take precedence, even possibly succeeding to County Captain, becoming a true military officer.  

Wu Lexian loudly declared, “Ever since Li Pingfu’s small eight-family clan was sanctioned by Magistrate Liang, no one could rely on connections for high posts anymore. Now it’s all about strength.” He cited the Zhao family’s past “glory” when a young man without Divine Execution Realm cultivation held the County Captain post.  

The selection method for this position was also innovative—no nepotism, no background checks, only strength mattered. The government would hold an open arena challenge, allowing only Postnatal Realm martial artists to compete. The winner would assume the position.  

Li Rongzhou’s eyes flashed sharply.  

His keen intuition immediately sensed the opportunity hidden behind those four words.  

“Ping’an follows the path of a civil official and has strengthened the family foundation through marriage with the Mu family. If Pingfu can secure this military post, our Li family will flourish both in civil and martial affairs in Yunshui County, supporting each other like horns of a beast! That will be the real foundation for our survival and prosperity!”  

Beside him, Li Pingfu’s eyes also ignited with fierce ambition. Though calm by nature, he was not without passion. As a martial artist, who didn’t yearn to make a name and bring glory to the family?  

“Father, I want to fight for it!” he said in a low voice.  

Li Pingfu had the confidence. Naturally talented, and with the precious medicines covertly provided by Li Pingcan, his cultivation soared day by day.  

Not long ago, he had just broken through to the coveted Postnatal Realm, but was frustrated by the lack of opportunity. More importantly, the “Foundation Stabilizing Pill” gifted by his second brother and then passed back by his third brother was still unused.  

With this spiritual pill’s aid, not only could he solidify his foundation, but also improve his strength further. Facing those veteran masters, he might well have a fighting chance!  

“Good! Ambitious!” Li Rongzhou nodded with satisfaction, then looked at Li Pingcan. “Can’er, what do you think?”  

Li Pingcan smiled. “If big brother wants to go, I naturally support him. This is not just about his future, but a crucial step for the Li family’s century-long plan.”  

Having connections in the imperial court had benefited the whole family over the years. Just take the Li Family Escort Agency for example—without Li Ping’an’s name and the Mu family’s backing, would it earn ten thousand taels a year?  

Also, recent cult disturbances had put Peach Blossom Village on lockdown, defending against countless hidden dangers. Nearby villages had reports of women and children going missing.  

“But…”  

Li Pingcan’s tone shifted to serious. “This competition is no small matter.”  

“You’re right.” Li Ping’an took a deep breath.  

He had already used his wife’s connections to gather detailed intelligence on the main competitors, far more comprehensive than market rumors.  

“In Yunshui County, four Postnatal Realm experts openly vie for this position, and none are easy to deal with.”  

First and foremost was Qin An, a guest elder of the county’s largest family, the Zhou clan.  

He was reportedly in his sixties, renowned for decades, adept in the “Mantis Fist” style combining softness and hardness, with palm power capable of splitting stone. He held great prestige in both official and underground circles, representing deep-rooted local interests.  

Next was a lone martial wanderer known as the “Bloodhand Butcher.”  

His origins were mysterious, wielding a swift, ruthless blade, never leaving survivors. His record was built purely on real combat experience, making him the most dangerous competitor.  

Besides them, there were two other new Postnatal Realm martial artists: one a Zhou family in-law from the prestigious Xie clan, the other a martial arts schoolmaster, both with strong backgrounds and formidable strength.  

Li Pingfu pondered, “Martial competition isn’t about fame, but fists. The hardest fists make the truth.”  

“Well said!” Captain Zuo Wu clapped and laughed, full of heroic spirit. “Your Li family daughter usually causes trouble; when it comes to fighting, fight!”  

Wu Lexian used all his connections in the county to further investigate opponents, even cataloging their usual moves and personality strengths.  

Li Ping’an returned to his room, deep in thought.  

“Little brother follows the open and righteous path, settling the matter on the arena. But on the arena, there may still be conspiracies and tricks.”  

I narrowed my eyes. “The Zhou family’s young heir, even if a minor branch, certainly has many schemes. You must find a way to provide some help for little brother.”  

He thought of his Druid abilities: Spore Sense could provide early warning; Divine Blessing of Nature could boost destiny; even Transform Beast into Friend might prove useful.  

..........  

A thousand miles away in Yunshui County’s city, a lavish pavilion with sheer curtains emitted faint exotic scents. Every corner was equipped with subtle wards preventing eavesdropping.  

Qin An, the Zhou family guest elder, sat on a soft couch, holding a wine cup, his gaze sharp as an eagle’s.  

Opposite him sat a graceful woman.  

She was about twenty-seven or twenty-eight, dressed in a half-loosened peach-red palace robe, revealing snowy white shoulders and delicate collarbones. She reclined lazily, her fox-like eyes gleaming with enchanting charm, her brows and the corners of her eyes radiating irresistible allure, as if a natural enchantress born to captivate souls.  

She was Qin An’s longtime lover, Su Meiniang, a wandering cultivator at Refining Qi stage three, specializing in beguiling arts.  

Banished from her sect years ago for a grave mistake, a wandering cultivator was lower than a dog. Her seductive arts lacked combat power, and the noble immortal had fallen so far as to rely on martial artists.  

Otherwise, if she had spiritual roots, being confined by a powerful martial artist might mean facing 365 men in 365 days!  

Thinking of such a scene, Su Meiniang felt her current situation was quite good.  

“Brother Qin, coming to my place so late—is it because you miss me?” Su Meiniang covered her mouth and laughed softly, her voice intoxicating to the bone.  

“Meiniang, after all these years, don’t you know my intentions?”  

Qin An put down his cup, his withered palm covering her soft jade hand, a hint of greed flashing in his eyes before turning into cold calculation. “I have a great fortune today, and I want to share it with you.”  

“Oh?” Su Meiniang withdrew her hand, pouting. “Brother Qin’s fortune must not be easy to get. I’m shallow in cultivation, I can’t do any fighting or killing.”  

“No need for you to fight.” Qin An’s mouth curled into a sinister smile, his voice low. “I want you to help me deal with one person.”  

He told her everything about the “County Captain Zuo Wu” matter.  

When he heard Li Pingfu was a Postnatal Realm expert at just over twenty years old, Su Meiniang’s eyes flickered with surprise, then turned into knowing amusement.  

“So that ‘Tiger Tyrant’ of the Li family is making waves in the county. Even the yellow-haired girl from the Jiang family is madly infatuated with him.”  

Su Meiniang toyed with a lock of hair disdainfully. “He’s just a greenhorn, relying on brute strength, clueless about immortal methods and tricks.”  

“Exactly!”  

A fierce gleam flashed in Qin An’s eyes, full of malice. “No matter how good his kung fu is, he’s still a hot-blooded young man. If you’re willing to strike with your ‘Thousand Illusions of Love,’ just make him lose focus for a moment—one breath’s time is enough! I’ll attack from behind then. He’ll surely die!”  

That was his plan—simple, direct, and utterly vile.  

Knowing his own age and weakening vitality, a direct fight with the rising young master Li Pingfu would be a brutal victory at best.  

He couldn’t gamble on that. The most reliable and despicable method—one strike, certain kill—was his style.  

Su Meiniang’s beautiful eyes flickered. She pondered, “That boy is a Postnatal expert with abundant vitality. My charm might not succeed easily. Besides, he’s the Jiang family’s prospective son-in-law, and his second brother is a celestial official. The background is not small. If we fail, trouble will come to both of us.”  

“Hahaha, Meiniang, you’re too cautious!”  

Qin An sneered confidently. “No matter how strong his will, how can he resist your Refining Qi level three charm? His backers might be strong, but once he’s dead, he’s nothing! Besides, I have my own backing. Who would offend the Zhou family for a dead man?”  

He leaned close to Su Meiniang, whispering in her ear, his breath carrying a putrid stench:  

“If this succeeds, my treasured ‘Fragrant Jade’ will be yours. It not only stabilizes your cultivation but also preserves your youth forever. How about it?”  

“Fragrant Jade?” Su Meiniang’s breath caught sharply, her eyes blazing with desire.  

For a woman specializing in charm arts, appearance and cultivation were equally important. The lure of Fragrant Jade was enough to risk anything!  

“Good!” She no longer hesitated, raising her wine cup, lips parted. “Then I’ll toast Brother Qin’s swift success and early appointment as Yunshui County magistrate!”  

“Hahaha!”  

Qin An laughed hoarsely with satisfaction, clinking his cup with hers.  

The wine rippled, reflecting two scheming smiles.  

That insignificant Li Pingfu was just a stepping stone on the path to power and wealth.  

Just a light kick, and he would plunge into the abyss, shattered to pieces!  

............  

In a quiet room.  

“After taking the nourishing decoction for several days, I can finally take the Foundation Stabilizing Pill.”  

Li Pingfu exhaled a breath of warm air.  

He had just broken through to the Postnatal Realm and was about to advance to the Innate Realm. The rapid progress could cause extra strain, so he needed to “nourish and maintain” in advance.  

This nourishing formula came from his second brother, said to be commonly used by county captains and worth a hundred taels.  

Also, becoming an “official” brought many hidden benefits, which was why Li Pingfu wanted to fight for the military position.  

The Foundation Stabilizing Pill was warm and smooth. The pill seemed to shimmer with flowing light. Even the scent made his blood qi involuntarily accelerate.  

The green pill melted instantly in his mouth, without the expected bitterness. Instead, it turned into a warm and mighty current flowing down his throat into his dantian.  

In an instant, Li Pingfu felt as if his dantian had been branded with a red-hot iron. A pure and intense medicinal power exploded inside!  

This power was not the violent burst of an ordinary treasure pill. Like a master craftsman, it repeatedly refined and purified his originally thick Postnatal inner energy, removing the last impurities, repairing hidden injuries from years of martial training, and widening his meridians.  

Li Pingfu groaned softly, feeling his bones crack and skin beneath reshaped. A mingled sensation of indescribable comfort and excruciating pain swept over him.  

He tightly guarded his mind, guiding the power repeatedly along the heart method of the Five Spirit Play. The tiger’s fierceness, the crane’s agility, the bear’s steadiness… five divine essences shone within him, perfectly blending with the medicinal power.  

After an unknown length of time, once the power was fully absorbed, his dantian’s originally gaseous inner energy had completely condensed and transformed into a thread of endlessly living Innate inner energy, faintly resonating with the primordial energy of heaven and earth!  

The Innate Realm was now a natural result!  

Li Pingfu slowly opened his eyes, a glimmer of light flashing briefly.  

Feeling that harmonious, unceasing power inside, his heart surged with pride.  

He was now worlds apart from just a few hours ago!  

At dusk, the setting sun dyed Peach Blossom Village in a warm golden glow.  

On his way back from buying nourishing medicine in Yunshui County, Li Pingfu suddenly smelled a faint and elusive fragrance.  

He looked up and saw a familiar man standing nearby on a peach tree, his expression seemingly confused and helpless.  

The woman looked like a passing traveler, with a graceful figure that sparked imagination.  

Li Pingfu’s alarm bells rang.  

Martial artists entering the Innate Realm had sharp senses, impervious to heat or cold, yet this breeze of fragrance made him feel inexplicably restless, a ripple in his spirit. This was definitely abnormal!  

“Caw!”  

At that moment, the raven on the tree suddenly gave a sharp, urgent cry.  

Li Pingfu immediately understood.  

He remained calm, a flash of icy killing intent in his eyes, quickly replaced by a just-right mixture of “astonishment” and “hesitation.” He feigned being fooled by beauty and took a step closer to the woman.  

“Miss, are you lost?”  

Seeing his expression change, Su Meiniang was secretly pleased. It seemed this “Tiger Tyrant” was no different—he would fall for a beauty after all.  

She added more charm, her voice soft enough to drip water. “Yes, big brother, it’s late, and I’m alone. I’m very scared. I wonder… could I bother you here for a while?”  

“Well…” Li Pingfu feigned hesitation. “My family has women, so it’s inconvenient. How about this: there’s a pavilion in the woods ahead. I’ll take you there to rest and help you find your way down.”  

What “inconvenience”? His desire was clearly stirred, wanting a wild “battle” outdoors!  

“Well… then I’ll trouble you, big brother.” Su Meiniang’s eyes flickered as she secretly sneered. The boy had truly taken the bait.  

Li Pingfu turned and led the way, his back seemingly defenseless but every muscle taut, Innate true qi ready to burst forth.  

He led Su Meiniang step by step into the deep, silent forest.  

Night grew darker; the forest light dimmed.  

When they reached a deserted clearing, Li Pingfu suddenly stopped and turned around.  

The last trace of “infatuation” vanished from his face, replaced by a chilling coldness and sharp killing intent, his gaze razor-sharp!  

“Who exactly are you?”