"The formation is complete!"

Li Pingcan gazed joyfully at the intricate formation diagram before him, filled with a sense of accomplishment. After countless attempts and mountains of discarded diagrams, his persistence had finally paid off. He carefully stored away the flawless "Hidden Profound Concealment Formation" diagram.

With this concealment formation, he could safely transplant the Mulberry Spirit Tree to the Li family compound, transforming it into a spiritual haven that would become the foundation of their clan's prosperity. The next step was activating the formation.

"The Li household has too many prying eyes. Thankfully, I have max-level Hallucinogenic Mushrooms." Given the importance of this matter, Li Pingcan took precautions. He secretly replaced ordinary mushrooms with Hallucinogenic ones to prepare an authentic mushroom soup, serving it to all the servants to ensure none could reveal the Li family's secrets.

After confirming with his spiritual sense that all outsiders had consumed the soup, he weaved a "pleasant dream" for them before beginning his work. Using [Plastic King], he leveled the ground and dug formation pits of varying depths. Then, he buried materials for the Five Elements formation foundations according to the diagram's specifications.

The "Concealment Pearl" obtained from trading with the nine-tailed fox served as the formation's eye. Hundred-year-old lightning-struck wood formed its skeleton, while beast hides became its banners. Spirit stones, as the formation's core energy source, were buried at the center of the eye, creating an interconnected whole.

Li Pingcan personally handled every step with utmost care. When he buried the final jade piece engraved with runes, he stepped back and took a deep breath. His hands swiftly formed seals as he chanted incantations. Strands of pure spiritual energy rained down like fine mist, nourishing the entire formation.

"Li Rongzhou Spirit, formation rise!"

With his shout, an invisible force radiated from the formation's eye.

"Hum!"

The air vibrated with a barely audible resonance as the entire Pei River residence momentarily distorted before returning to normal.

"Let's test the formation's effects."

Li Pingcan realized he couldn't cast traditional spells, only Druid skills. Reluctantly, he used a first-grade "Water Arrow Talisman" looted from the woman in black for testing. The talisman spontaneously combusted, gathering wisps of spiritual energy that condensed into a water arrow shooting skyward.

Transforming into a bird to observe from above, Li Pingcan was delighted to detect no spiritual energy fluctuations leaking outside. "Complete success!"

The Li Rongzhou Spirit Formation was fully operational, concealing the entire Golden Eagle Estate's aura. To external cultivators, it now appeared as an ordinary mortal residence without any spiritual energy leakage—an essential skill for family development.

With the formation's protection, Li Pingcan proceeded to set up a Spirit Gathering Formation in the estate. He chose the training grounds—a spacious area where future generations would practice cultivation. This time, the process went smoother as he worked with familiar materials, though the results couldn't compare to Listening Wind Cliff.

"Better than nothing."

Li Pingcan wasn't disappointed. Peach Blossom Village's naturally thin spiritual energy lacked support from spiritual veins. Even this minor improvement to their home's feng shui was worthwhile.

"At least this blessed land will help family members recover from illnesses faster and maintain better vitality."

Days later, he transplanted the Spirit Mulberry sapling to the Li compound. Hidden by the concealment formation, the spiritual sapling appeared ordinary. Upon planting, it immediately flourished with vibrant green leaves swaying gently, releasing pure spiritual energy that merged with and refined the heterogeneous energy gathered by the formation.

Though far inferior to Spirit Mountain's richness, the sapling's nourishment and formation's assistance significantly improved the estate's spiritual energy. Over generations, this would increase chances of family members being born with spiritual roots.

Gazing at the lush sapling, Li Pingcan silently prayed: "May you thrive here and bless the Li family."

......

Days passed, seasons changed.

One day, Lady Qin summoned him with motherly affection in her eyes. "Can'er, you're sixteen now." She hesitated before continuing, "Your elder brothers are happily married. You're our only concern now... regarding your marriage..."

With a sigh, she came straight to the point: "I know you've always had your own ideas, but... what do you think of Yuanyuan?" Her eyes showed apprehension. Xie Yuan had grown up with the Lis since childhood. Though not blood-related, they treated her as their own. Gentle, obedient, and having grown up with Li Pingcan, she was the perfect match.

Lady Qin had already consulted Xie Yuan, who blushed and nodded in clear happiness. But ultimately, it depended on Li Pingcan's feelings.

"Yuanyuan?"

Li Pingcan felt both amused and troubled—he'd always seen her as a younger sister. He'd imagined finding love like his parents' deep bond, but his reclusive life offered few opportunities for "love at first sight."

Yet life wasn't just about romance—there was the responsibility to strengthen the family. Ideally, he'd marry a cultivator to produce spiritually gifted offspring. But at the Li family's current status, even ordinary descendants of immortals were beyond reach.

An inherent hierarchy existed—the Lis originated from martial arts, and refined immortals disdained associating with "crude martial artists." Without Li Ping'an's scholarly achievements bringing prestige, their situation might be worse.

Dark thoughts crossed his mind—forcibly confining rogue cultivators like Su Meiniang and the woman in black might produce spiritual descendants. But the idea sickened him, violating both human decency and the Druid's "Way of Nature." Even family patriarch Li Rongzhou, despite his ambitions, would never agree.

"A man must know what to do and what not to do!" Coercing women was unacceptable—better execute those malicious rogue cultivators while the iron was hot. Moreover, Li Pingcan couldn't trust outsiders who might betray the Lis.

This left extremely limited options for a spouse. Xie Yuan possessed natural affinity, blessed by his [Divine Blessing of Nature] and Grandpa Peach Tree, making her far superior to ordinary people. Their offspring might have better cultivation potential. Most importantly, after ten years together, he knew her simple, loving nature could be trusted.

Meeting Lady Qin's gaze, he said seriously, "Mother, I have no objections."

"Really?" Delighted, she'd expected refusal. "Yuanyuan is wonderful."

Beaming, Lady Qin nodded repeatedly. "Good! I'll discuss with your father to set an auspicious date for the engagement!"

......

That afternoon, Li Pingcan summoned Xie Yuan to his room. The mulberry sapling in the courtyard now stood taller than a person, lush with leaves emitting refreshing spiritual energy.

Blushing deeply, Xie Yuan fidgeted with her clothes, heart pounding like a startled deer. She knew what Lady Qin had discussed—since childhood, she'd adored her "Can-gege." Getting her wish fulfilled filled her with bashful joy.

"Yuanyuan." Li Pingcan spoke softly yet solemnly. "Mother has spoken about us. For the Li family's growth, I may... take concubines in future."

Beyond cultivation, as a Druid leveling up through descendants planting trees, this practically forced him to "prosper with many children." He met her eyes directly—he'd understand if she refused.

Xie Yuan's head jerked up, obsidian eyes instantly misting over. She hadn't expected such words.

"Can-gege..." Her voice trembled with unshed tears.

Li Pingcan sighed softly, pained himself. But he needed someone who understood and supported him, not hindered him. "If you refuse, I'll tell Mother."

Tears finally spilled over. She loved him enough to sacrifice everything, yet his words felt like a knife twisting in her heart. But having experienced life's hardships early, she understood compromise better than her peers.

After a long silence, Xie Yuan wiped her tears messily and declared with shaky resolve: "I... I accept!"

Surprise flickered in Li Pingcan's eyes as he gently reassured her: "Don't worry, I won't let you suffer."

..........

The wedding day arrived with Peach Blossom Village decorated in festive red. What the Lis intended as a simple ceremony turned into a sensation when Yunshui County's elite began arriving.

"The Jiang Family Divine Sword is here!"

"Isn't that... the County Captain himself? Coming personally to congratulate!"

"Heavens! Even the prestigious Mu Family from the prefecture sent gifts!"

The village buzzed with awed whispers as envious eyes turned toward the Li estate. "The Lis... they're truly rising now!"

"Of course! One son's an immortal official, another's the County Captain's deputy!"

Amid the crowd, Li Pingcan watched Peach Blossom Town's formerly aloof elites now fawning over his parents with flattering smiles, realizing this was less a wedding than naked social maneuvering and interest trading.

"First bow to heaven and earth!"

At the master of ceremonies' call, Li Pingcan led Xie Yuan forward by the hand. Her petite figure looked even more delicate in crimson bridal robes, head bowed with long lashes fluttering over cheeks red as ripe apples, heart racing wildly.

"Second bow to parents!"

Xie Yuan peeked at the youth beside her. His profile looked especially handsome in candlelight. Though his "concubine" remark still pained her, standing together like this already felt like enough.

"Husband and wife bow to each other!"

Facing each other, their eyes met as they became husband and wife.

At the banquet, Li Rongzhou and Lady Qin glowed with pride. Li Pingfu looked on approvingly—"Little brother has grown up." Li Ping'an drained his cup, giving Xie Yuan a warm nod—she was truly family now.

Post-celebration, the village returned to normalcy. As a wife, Xie Yuan proved gentle and efficient, managing household affairs impeccably. Li Pingcan devoted himself wholly to cultivation and formation studies.

During this peaceful routine, Zhao Huafeng arrived with grave news. Remembering the Weiyuan Escort Agency's past assistance during the Lis' humble days, Li Pingcan joined his elder brother to receive him.

"Uncle Zhao, what's happened?"

Seeing Li Pingfu, Zhao Huafeng grasped him like a lifeline. "Nephew Li, I come in desperation. Our agency... lost an escort shipment!"

Li Pingfu's expression darkened—nothing damaged an escort agency's reputation more than lost goods.

"Lost? Uncle Zhao, with your numerous escorts and experts, ordinary bandits wouldn't dare."

Zhao Huafeng smiled bitterly. "Exactly! And it's no ordinary shipment—it's birthday gifts for a Songling Prefecture dignitary. We were cautious throughout the journey until nearing the destination when, after a smoke cloud, the gifts vanished!"

Bewildered, he continued: "We searched ten li around—no signs of struggle. The carriage was intact, other goods untouched—only the gift box was empty, as if... it grew wings and flew away!"

"Flew away?"

How could anything so bizarre happen?

Chin in hand, Li Pingcan pondered. Examining the box Zhao Huafeng brought, he found it sturdy and securely locked with only faint claw marks atop. As a Druid familiar with avian talons, he pointed: "Uncle Zhao, these marks were left by some large bird."

Zhao Huafeng started, then slapped his thigh in realization. "Right! We only checked for human thieves, never considering that!" But he frowned: "Yet what giant bird could carry off such a large box in these mountains?"

Li Pingcan already suspected the bandits weren't ordinary thieves but those who trained flying beasts—"sky bandits" specializing in stealing land-transported treasures using avian advantages.

"Nephew Li, what do you suggest?"

Zhao Huafeng sought advice earnestly. This third Li son, though low-profile, consistently surprised with sharp insights.

"Simple." Li Pingcan smiled. "We'll disguise as merchants retracing that route—but carrying bait, not gifts." His plan: have escorts follow the original route while advertising valuable cargo, but fill the carriage with worthless stones. When bandits struck again, they'd catch them red-handed.

"Lure the snake from its hole! Those cowards can't hide forever!"

Zhao Huafeng agreed immediately: "We'll do as you say!"

..........

At dawn, Li Pingfu led trusted men including Li Yuan and Xie Xiaodao, joined by Weiyuan escorts. Fang Lin greeted the youths warmly, especially impressed with Li Pingfu's new position as deputy county captain, repeatedly praising his foreseen success.

Following Zhao Huafeng's directions to the theft site, they proceeded slowly, pretending to be an unguarded merchant group.

"Whoosh!"

Approaching the target area, faint wingbeats sounded before mist suddenly obscured everything.

"They're coming!" Li Pingfu warned quietly as everyone prepared. Weiyuan escorts covered their mouths as a massive shadow descended—a golden eagle with wings spanning three meters! Its hooked talons grabbed for the "gift" box while smaller vultures dove in support.

"Now!"

At Li Pingfu's shout, escorts sprang into action, throwing nets from carts to ensnare the eagle. Zhao Huafeng lunged upward like lightning, punching its wing brutally.

"Crunch!"

With a pained screech, the unbalanced eagle crashed down in a dust cloud as the terrified vultures fled into mountains. Zhao Huafeng deliberately let them escape to track their masters.

"Brother, let's follow!" Li Pingcan urged.

But observing the eagle, he noticed something odd. Though bedraggled and weak, it emitted faint, chaotic spiritual energy—undoubtedly a spirit beast. Attempting to soothe it only provoked more violent struggles and attempts to peck him.

Frowning, Li Pingcan realized its deep-seated fear and distrust of humans, likely from abuse, had dulled its spirit. "Its trust is frozen solid." Forcing an Animal Companion contract would only create an emotionless weapon—against Druid principles.

They needed to find the mastermind behind this to understand why.