The Druid training site thrived endlessly, exuding natural harmony. The villagers of Peach Blossom Village only noticed that life had been getting progressively better these past two years. The crops in their fields grew more robust than anywhere else, their livestock grew fat and strong, rarely falling ill. Even the old chief who had been bedridden with illness felt his bones growing sturdier, with minor aches and pains becoming far less frequent. The entire village was enveloped in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility.

Naturally, the first to benefit were the members of the Li family. Under "Nature's Sanctuary," whether it was Li Rongzhou and his wife, or Li Pingfu and Li Ping'an, all felt lighter in body and healthier in spirit, with even their cultivation efficiency of "Breath of the Tree" significantly improving. The Li Family Mansion was especially blessed with continuous happy events.

On this day, the eldest sister-in-law Jiang Ling'er, after ten months of pregnancy, successfully gave birth to a baby boy. The moment the child was born, Li Pingcan, who had been meditating in the backyard, suddenly opened his eyes as if sensing something. He could clearly feel a pure and familiar life energy rising from another part of the mansion—an energy that resonated naturally with this world and his "Emerald Dream."

He hurried over just as Li Pingfu emerged, beaming with joy while carefully cradling the swaddled infant. "Little brother, come look! This is my youngest son!" Li Pingfu laughed heartily, his voice brimming with paternal pride. Li Pingcan leaned in to see the tiny newborn. Though wrinkled and red, there was an inexplicable cuteness to his nephew that came from shared blood.

"With our family growing, this is truly a joyous occasion," Li Rongzhou chuckled as he named his grandson. "Let's call him Li Yuanxi!" Li Yuanxi—the third child of the Li family's young generation!

Over these past few years, sister-in-law Jiang Ling'er and second sister-in-law Mu Wanqiu had successively expanded the Li family. Second brother Li Ping'an had a daughter born two years ago during a conflict with a cult, named Li Nianhe, now over two years old. Now eldest brother Li Pingfu's newborn son was named Li Yuanxi, while the eldest grandson Li Yuanhu was already five.

"Let me see! Let me see!" Li Yuanhu tugged at his father's pants with chubby hands. Li Pingfu laughed and lifted the tiger-like boy, only for Li Yuanhu to stare at his baby brother with great confusion before finally frowning and declaring, "Brother is ugly—like a little monkey. Doesn't look like me at all." The innocent remark made everyone burst into laughter.

Perhaps sensing he was being laughed at, the baby scrunched up his face and kicked his tiny feet in protest. Li Pingfu was delighted rather than surprised. "This little one has spirit! He'll be another martial arts prodigy!" His eldest Li Yuanhu had been born with great strength, and now his youngest seemed just as vigorous.

"Well, what else would you expect from eldest brother, a martial arts genius?" Li Pingcan smiled as he took out a prepared amulet and gently placed it around the baby's neck, simultaneously casting [Divine Blessing of Nature]. A soft green light emanated and merged into the infant's body. He solemnly blessed, "May the Li descendants be free from illness and calamity, living peaceful lives."

That night, red candles wept wax as gauze curtains swayed to muffled feminine moans. Afterward, Li Pingcan rose from the bed. He hadn't intended to tonight, but Xie Yuan had been unusually passionate, her allure irresistible. He understood her anxiety—married for two years without pregnancy while watching her sisters-in-law successively bear children must weigh heavily.

Li Pingcan had known cultivators faced difficulties conceiving, but he hadn't expected even the third Refining Qi Stage to pose such challenges. Could it be the dual factors of being both a Druid and cultivator? "Children come when destined—no need to rush," he comforted his melancholic wife.

Xie Yuan forced a smile. "I know, husband. Don't worry about me." She'd tried all medicines and prayers, yet nothing worked—the psychological toll was inevitable. Seeing her merely dispirited but otherwise fine, Li Pingcan offered a few more words of comfort before retiring to meditate. Anxiety was counterproductive; only strength ensured stability.

As his consciousness sank into the Emerald Dream's Druid training site, he gasped. Above the Nature's Heart at the lake's center floated a green spark dancing like a firefly, creating an ethereal scene. This was astonishing—while the Emerald Dream mirrored the real world, it had never contained living beings. This luminous speck radiated vibrant life and carried a familiar bloodline resonance... as if he'd just encountered it.

"Could this be Li Yuanxi's soul?" After a moment's sensing, Li Pingcan couldn't conceal his shock. How could a newborn's soul enter the Emerald Dream? The two-leafed white lotus cradled the green light, which visibly intensified under its care. "The soul's power is strengthening?" Blinking in amazement, Li Pingcan feared he might be mistaken. The Emerald Dream could actually nurture the souls of Li descendants!

"If all share the Li bloodline, why can't Li Yuanhu enter?" Puzzled, Li Pingcan carefully examined the spark and realized Li Yuanxi had exceptionally high earth-water affinity, whereas Li Yuanhu only possessed innate strength with weak elemental alignment. Age was another factor—Li Yuanhu at five was already developing worldly understanding, his purity fading unlike a newborn's immaculate blank slate.

"Perhaps any child with high elemental affinity and spiritual root potential can cultivate their soul here!" This discovery thrilled him. Powerful spiritual sense offered immense advantages—not just in combat but for mastering cultivation arts like talismans, formations, alchemy, and artifact forging! "Our Li family's future cultivators might all possess extraordinary spiritual sense and mastery of cultivation arts!"

......  

The next day, in the Li family's front courtyard's newly built training ground, little Li Yuanhu stood in horse stance, face red with effort as he shouted in childish tones, "Hah! Hey! Third Uncle, watch me!" As the eldest grandson, Li Yuanhu was thoroughly spoiled and fearless, even talking back to his father—a true little tyrant. Yet inexplicably, around his third uncle, he instinctively behaved, craving approval.

Li Pingcan smiled and patted his head, confirming the boy's weak elemental affinity. But this didn't preclude future achievements. Years ago, he'd sensed extraordinary vitality in Sun Zheng and arranged for his eldest brother to take the boy as a disciple. Sun Zheng had since displayed terrifying martial talent—reaching Divine Execution Realm at sixteen with potential to achieve Innate Realm! Unlike his eldest brother who relied on martial foundations and comprehension, Sun Zheng possessed a unique physique akin to "Tyrant Body."

Li Yuanhu showed similar but distinct traits. Combined with the limit-breaking "Five Spirit Play," he might still challenge cultivators through body refinement. Clearing his throat, Li Pingcan adopted a profound smile. "Tiger Cub, starting today, I have a special martial art. Want to learn?"

"YES!" Li Yuanhu's eyes sparkled. Third Uncle was the best—Dad never let him train!

"Then follow me." Li Pingcan adapted the first layer of "Breath of the Tree" into a catchy nursery rhyme and simple breathing game. "Spring winds blow, sprouts grow tall, breathe it in, grow up strong... Summer rains fall, lotus sweet, breathe it out, sickness flees..."

The childish voice echoed across the training ground. To Li Yuanhu, it was just fun, unaware his body was being subtly tempered, supplemented by mild herbal treatments to strengthen his foundations for future martial cultivation.

Xie Yuan absentmindedly embroidered while watching her husband interact with their nephew, until the sharp needle pricked her finger. A crimson bead welled up, the sting subtle yet distinct. Sucking her finger, she stared blankly. Sisters-in-law Jiang Ling'er and Mu Wanqiu had borne two sons and a daughter for the Li family, while her chambers remained quiet.

She wasn't without anxiety. Seeing her sisters-in-law enjoying motherhood while she remained barren, her unspoken envy and loneliness were impossible to fully conceal. Yet as a woman, bearing her beloved's child was her purest desire. Knowing it couldn't be forced, Xie Yuan buried her worries, devoting herself to serving her in-laws and managing household affairs flawlessly to spare her husband any concerns.

......  

In Yunshui County during a small auction, Li Pingcan donned plain blue robes, concealing his aura as he strolled leisurely through streets. Reaching a secluded western alley, he was drawn by violent arguing and sobbing.

A gaunt, sallow-faced youth with bloodshot eyes was desperately trying to wrest a money pouch from a girl's arms. "Give it! I'll win big this time! We'll feast then!" he raved madly.

"No! This is Lifesaving money for Qingqing!" The frail girl shielded both pouch and a sickly, trembling child. "Brother, wake up! You've gambled away our ancestral home! Now you'd steal your sister's medicine money?!"

"Lies! That brat should die and spare us trouble!" Enraged at being exposed, the youth shoved—only to strike Zhao Qingqing who'd rushed to protect her sister. The child fell, forehead striking stone, immediately bleeding. The brother ignored this, clutching his stolen prize as he turned to leave.

"STOP!" The sister's eyes burned as she blocked his path with a rusted longsword. Her hands shook but didn't waver. "Zhao Lei! Have you no humanity? Qingqing is sick!"

"Zhao Sisi! YOU'RE the mad one! Pointing a sword at your own brother?!" Zhao Lei first froze then erupted in fury.

"You stopped being my brother long ago!" Tears streamed but her voice hardened. "This money is Qingqing's LIFE!"

"Treason! Absolute treason!" Zhao Lei's face twisted savagely as he grabbed for the sword.

"Let go!"

"Never!"

The siblings struggled violently at the gate. Li Pingcan watched silently, recognizing the girl—Zhao Sisi from the Zhao family he'd once met. After Magistrate Liang and Zhou Shan crushed the Zhao family overnight, their elites perished, properties seized, reducing the once-mighty clan to a laughingstock. Yet this seemingly delicate girl displayed astonishing courage protecting her sister, reminding Li Pingcan of how his own brothers had shielded him.

When Zhao Lei's eyes turned murderous, Li Pingcan intervened. A flicked pebble struck Zhao Lei's wrist with precision.

"ARGH!" Zhao Lei released the sword, howling in pain. Spotting Li Pingcan, his face paled. "Young Master Li!" Everyone in Yunshui County knew the Li brothers—this third young master was beyond his reach!

"Scram," Li Pingcan said mildly. Zhao Lei gaped dumbly. Seizing the chance, Zhao Sisi reclaimed her money pouch, shielding it protectively while eyeing her brother warily. Furious but helpless, Zhao Lei spat, "This isn't over, Zhao Sisi!" before fleeing while clutching his wrist.

"Qingqing, does it hurt?" "No, sister. Don't cry." Watching the sisters comfort each other, Li Pingcan felt moved. Offering a medicine bottle, he said gently, "For the wound. Scars don't suit girls."

Zhao Sisi met his kind smile and inexplicably felt her wariness fade. Hesitantly accepting it, she murmured, "Thank you, Young Master Li." Applying the powder to Zhao Qingqing's forehead, the bleeding stopped instantly as the wound visibly healed.

"Look, sister! No more pain!" Zhao Qingqing exclaimed joyfully. Recognizing the medicine's extraordinary quality, Zhao Sisi bowed deeply with her sister. "We are eternally grateful."

"It's nothing," Li Pingcan waved dismissively. "Fate brought us together." Deciding to help further, he offered silver. "For emergencies. If your brother troubles you again, seek the Li Security Agency in my name."

Zhao Sisi shook her head firmly. "Your kindness touches us, but we can't accept. I can earn Qingqing's medicine myself." Impressed by her pride, Li Pingcan didn't insist. With a nod, he departed.

Zhao Sisi watched his retreating figure, heart stirring with unfamiliar ripples.

......  

That afternoon, a gentle breeze carried tea fragrance through the Li family's backyard pavilion where Xie Yuan hosted a luxuriously dressed visitor—Lei Yunyun. Now married to Flat Peach Town's wealthiest family, her youthful naivety had matured into dignified elegance.

"Little Sister Yuan, you live more comfortably than immortals," Lei Yunyun sighed over tea while watching playing children. "No household troubles, with your brothers' children so close. My days are endless account books!"

Xie Yuan smiled demurely while refilling her cup. "Sister flatters me. Everyone praises how well you manage such vast estates."

Lei Yunyun waved dismissively, her nostalgic gaze calm. "Back then, I truly believed I couldn't live without him." Her tone held no lingering obsession, only faint reminiscence. "How silly youth is. Men like him are clouds—admired from afar, never held."

Now happily married with a respectful husband, she'd long released those girlish fantasies. Xie Yuan listened quietly, her smile fading slightly as imperceptible melancholy flashed. Indeed, her husband was like celestial clouds—perfect to everyone, including her, which somehow made her feel more distant.

Especially... these two childless years. While rejoicing in her family's growth, the unspoken pressure and guilt weighed heavily. Yesterday, a maid mentioned the Zhao sisters and a kind "Li" gentleman—undoubtedly her husband Li Pingcan, whose cold exterior hid warmth. Zhao Sisi's bravery moved her.

A thought emerged. Casually, Xie Yuan asked, "Sister Yunyun... do all men wish for many descendants?"