The max-level Thorn Whip was no longer limited by quantity. If there were vines nearby, they could directly transform into "thorn tentacles," making them highly practical for both binding and obstructing. 

Imagine a life-or-death battle where seemingly insignificant vines at an enemy's feet suddenly turn into a thorny trap—that brief moment of vulnerability could determine victory!

"From now on, my martial training will incorporate both physical and magical cultivation," Li Pingcan thought cheerfully as he washed the dirt from his hands. 

In a sense, Druid magic was what ordinary people would consider "immortal arts." 

Max-level skills developed special traits: [Thorn Whip] gained [Proliferation], while [Moonlight Microbeams] and [Animal Speech] became passive abilities with no energy cost. [Dance of the Wind] acquired [Rotation].

Now he could create small-scale tornadoes at will! 

This gave him reasonable self-defense capabilities among mortals. 

Yet Li Pingcan still adhered to his "low-profile survival" philosophy, ensuring his development remained subtle and unnoticed. 

After all, this world had actual immortals—it was essentially a dark forest where exposure meant danger.

"If only I had unlimited time and energy to max out all skills," he mused regretfully.

There were tiers even among zero-circle spells. Creation and summoning magic like [Thorn Whip] and [Dance of the Wind] demanded tremendous energy, making them exceptionally difficult to max out. 

With tree-planting consuming most of his time, he could only prioritize leveling crucial skills.

"Caw! Caw!" Little Black cawed a warning from the sky.

Simultaneously, thudding footsteps approached—detected through [Earth Pulse Sense]. The writhing mass of thorns vanished instantly as Li Rongzhou returned dust-covered from the mountain peach orchard, calling out warmly: "Can'er! Time for dinner!"

............

"Look at you—playing in the dirt with your father again!" 

Lady Qin efficiently stripped the mud-caked outer robe from her youngest son, replacing it with clean clothes while muttering about how children grew more mischievous with age. 

Li Pingcan blinked innocently at his father. 

Recognizing the plea for help, Li Rongzhou interjected: "Old saying calls this 'connecting with earth energy.' Kids need this to grow strong and stay healthy. I was the same at his age."

"You spoil him too much! Lenient fathers raise wayward sons," Lady Qin shot her husband a sideways glance. 

He'd maintained a "strict father" image with their first two sons, but doted increasingly on the youngest, forcing her into the "strict mother" role. 

Truthfully, most families favored their youngest—especially one as clever and endearing as Li Pingcan. Even she couldn't resist indulging him sometimes.

"Father! Mother! We're back!"

Li Pingfu and Li Ping'an arrived together. 

At twelve after three years, Li Pingfu had grown sturdy as a young bull, his father's striking features radiating vitality as he moved with panther-like confidence. 

Practicing the "Black Tiger Technique" gave him an intimidating, fierce aura—though this melted into a simple, meat-loving grin at the sight of the dinner table, declaring it "heavenly living."

Li Ping'an had shed his childhood frailty, shooting up like bamboo—tall and lean yet muscular from daily martial training with their father. His scholarly pursuits added refined gentleness to his bearing.

"Mother, I ranked top in the academy's minor exams again."

"Our Ping'an is truly exceptional," Lady Qin praised generously. 

The corners of Li Ping'an's mouth lifted uncontrollably. 

Watching this, Li Pingcan thought amusedly: For all his composed demeanor, Second Brother remained that praise-seeking kid at heart!

............

After dinner, in the Li family courtyard. 

Li Pingcan perched on a small stool watching his father spar with the eldest brother.

"Come, let's have a father-son match." Li Rongzhou beckoned Li Pingfu.

Though clearly eager, Pingfu pretended reluctance: "Father, you're a Tendon Realm expert bullying a mere Skin Realm beginner—hardly honorable."

"Brat's learning reverse psychology now," Li Rongzhou laughed. "I'll fight one-handed without moving my feet. If I shift, I lose."

Li Pingfu flashed a "scheme succeeded" grin before shouting: "One... two... HERE I COME!"

While this sudden attack might catch training partners off-guard, Li Rongzhou was a survival-hardened veteran who'd seen every trick. 

Chuckling "you little rascal," he stood casually yet alert—his right arm effortlessly deflecting Pingfu's straight punch. 

When the follow-up uppercut came at his chin, Li Rongzhou raised his arm to block—only for his son to grin and suddenly open his fist, flinging kitchen ashes into his face. Li Pingcan's eyes stung in sympathy.

"Crafty devil!" Li Rongzhou cursed internally, calmly closing his eyes and relying solely on movement sounds to block the flurry of attacks. His Crane Style specialized in such agile defense.

Seeing this fail, Li Pingfu played his trump card: "Little Black!"

"Caw!" 

The raven dove from above, razor talons aimed at Li Rongzhou's left arm. 

Forced to pivot and block with his right fist, the father left an opening.

"Black Tiger Seizes the Groin!" 

Originally "Black Tiger Seizes the Heart" to embody a tiger's ferocity, Pingfu had to target lower against such overwhelming strength. The strike carried shocking force!

"Thwack!"

A massive palm slapped aside the incoming fist, leaving Pingfu wide open. Li Rongzhou effortlessly pinned his eldest's shoulder—the entire exchange looking like Pingfu had volunteered for defeat.

"Huff... huff..."

"I yield!" Gasping, Li Pingfu couldn't hide his disappointment. Cheating, ashes, avian assistance—nothing had made his father budge!

"Not bad. At your age, I wasn't half as cunning," Li Rongzhou laughed heartily before lecturing: "But your intentions were too obvious. Next lesson: conceal your attack purposes."

Li Pingfu lowered his head in thought.

Watching this, Li Pingcan's jaw hung open. 

Martial artists fought this dirty? 

Sneak attacks, blinding ashes, groin strikes, animal allies... 

How utterly... realistic!

............

Spring days kept family head Li Rongzhou busy—between soil preparation and orchard maintenance. 

Yet he still trained rigorously every day, decades of unwavering discipline.

"Almost at the breakthrough point..."

Frowning, he found progress slowing precisely when nearing advancement. 

As all knew, younger bodies broke through easier—and he was already twenty-eight with mediocre aptitude. Some martial artists remained stuck at Tendon Realm for seven or eight years, never reaching Blood Qi Realm.

"The martial path... is hard."

His sigh carried the frustration of every cultivator longing to advance. 

Noticing his father's gloom while "playfully" digging holes, Li Pingcan frowned too. 

Was there any way to help?