News of the beast disaster spread throughout Songling Prefecture overnight. The once peaceful stone-paved roads were now filled with hurried academy students traveling in small groups, whispering among themselves with expressions of barely concealed anxiety instead of their usual calm demeanor.

"Did you hear? The protective formation of Qingyun Mountain lasted less than half a month before being breached by demonic beasts!"

"Exactly! My uncle sent word from the prefecture that this beast tide includes monsters comparable to Refining Qi Stage Nine cultivators! Several immortal masters have already fallen!"

"Heavens, how terrifying! What should we do?"

Panic spread like plague, and with it came skyrocketing prices for medicinal pills. Qi Gathering Pills, Revival Pills, detoxification pills... These basic pills that normally gathered dust on alchemy hall shelves had suddenly become highly sought-after commodities.

Prices changed three times daily, jumping from one low-grade spirit stone per pill to five, with pills becoming nearly impossible to obtain regardless of price. The alchemy hall was packed to capacity, with anxious students crowding around every alchemy disciple.

"Gone! Today's pill quota sold out long ago!"

"Get in line! Trying to cut? No chance!"

"Take it or leave it! Five low-grade spirit stones per pill today - tomorrow the price won't be the same!"

Watching this chaos, Li Mengze frowned with deep concern. "Father, mother, grandparents..." Though he never doubted his father's capabilities, this beast disaster was no ordinary threat. Weapons knew no mercy - what if...

No, he couldn't bear to continue that thought. Taking a deep breath, he forcibly suppressed his worries, transforming them into unprecedented motivation. He needed spirit stones - lots of them - to purchase more ingredients and refine the best possible pills for his family.

"Perhaps... this is an opportunity."

Watching students dejectedly leaving empty-handed, Li Mengze had an idea. He quietly retrieved several bottles of "flawed" Qi Gathering Pills he'd deliberately created during practice. These pills had only one or two pill patterns and slightly dull coloration - results of his intentional underperformance.

"Senior brother." Li Mengze tugged the sleeve of a richly-dressed student. "I have some practice pills left - the appearance isn't great, but the effects are still decent."

The wealthy student froze momentarily before snatching the bottle, uncorking it to sniff the contents. His face immediately lit up with excitement. "Sell them! Sell them to me! How much?"

"Current market price is fifty spirit stones per bottle."

"Fifty?" The student's eyes narrowed, seeing Li Mengze's naive appearance as an opportunity to bargain. "With such poor quality, thirty at most!"

Amused inwardly, Li Mengze shook his head and reached to take back the bottle. "Then... never mind, I'll keep them for myself."

"Wait wait!" The student panicked in this seller's market. "Forty! I'll give forty! That's my final offer!"

"No, fifty." Li Mengze held firm.

"Fine then!"

Clutching the heavy spirit stone pouch, Li Mengze felt a strange mix of emotions - excitement from his first successful "speculation" and faint guilt from this minor "deception."

"Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures," he reasoned, quickly dismissing the guilt.

This first capital showed him business opportunities. He immediately turned to his close friends for help.

Finding Zhang Ao - who lacked alchemy talent but had excellent social connections - Li Mengze got straight to the point: "Zhang Ao, can you do me a favor?"

"What is it?"

"I want to buy fellow students' failed pills." Li Mengze explained, "I want to study their mistakes to avoid them in my own practice."

Zhang Ao burst out laughing. "You really think differently! Consider it done!"

To him, Li Mengze was being typically "overly studious," but as a friend's request, he agreed readily.

Soon, with Zhang Ao's help, Li Mengze acquired large quantities of "failed pills" at rock-bottom prices. While useless to others, these still contained residual medicinal properties that could be re-refined - a feat requiring exceptional spiritual power and pharmacological expertise.

The alchemy students thought they'd found a gullible fool, laughing all the way while unaware they were the ones being fleeced.

The re-refined pills sold quickly for huge profits. Without delay, Li Mengze headed to the academy's trading market, now ten times busier than usual with packed stalls and constant haggling.

Activating Insight into Good and Evil, he navigated the crowd. Dishonest vendors, honest dealers, genuine herbs and counterfeits all appeared as colored auras to his sight.

He quickly spotted a stall specializing in rare herbs, run by a hook-nosed senior student radiating greedy gray light. Among the wares was a withered black root.

"How much for this 'withered wood root'?" Li Mengze asked calmly.

"Ah, good eye!" The vendor perked up. "This isn't ordinary withered wood root - it's 'Black Jade Ginseng,' a century-old treasure nourished by underground yin energy! Look at these patterns, this luster! Fifty low-grade spirit stones!"

Li Mengze smirked inwardly. He recognized this as cheap "black taro root" artificially treated to mimic the real thing. Feigning disappointment, he shook his head: "Too expensive." Turning to leave, his gaze "accidentally" fell on a pile of weeds used as packing material.

Among them was an inconspicuous small grass with three silver streaks on its leaves.

"Since these weeds aren't selling," Li Mengze pointed casually, "I'll give one spirit stone for them to feed my pet rabbit."

The student blinked. Unaware of the grass's true value, he eagerly bundled the "trash," thrilled at finding such a sucker. "Deal! You're very generous!"

Paying quickly, Li Mengze left with his "weeds," hiding his triumph. That "Three-Striped Silvergrass" was actually the key ingredient for mid-grade Solid Origin Pills - far more valuable than the fake ginseng!

Using similar tactics, Li Mengze swept through the market like autumn wind, collecting all overlooked "treasures." His calm expression and Insight into Good and Evil let him negotiate ruthlessly, always hitting vendors' absolute minimum prices.

After converting all stones to ingredients, Li Mengze returned satisfied to the alchemy hall. Secluding himself in a remote refining room with a "Do Not Disturb" sign, he abandoned all pretense.

Releasing his full spiritual power, he controlled the furnace flames perfectly, extracting every herb's essence to its limit. Rare ingredients became pure medicinal liquids, blending and sublimating under his hands.

Qi Gathering Pills, Revival Pills, Body Strengthening Pills, Clear Heart Pills... Bottle after bottle of flawless, clearly-patterned pills flowed continuously from his work. He seemed tireless, eyes fixed only on the roaring flames and churning liquids.

"Father, mother... you must stay safe."

"Wait for me. Wait until I can bring you the finest pills!"

Outside, the snowstorm intensified. But within the furnace, the fire burned hotter than ever.

Though Yunshui County remained temporarily safe with the disaster concentrated upstream along the Dayu River, it was only a matter of time before the flood of beasts spread. When the nest overturned, could any egg remain intact? Neither Yunshui County nor Peach Blossom Village would be spared.

After long contemplation, Li Pingcan sought out Li Pingfu.

"Elder brother, I'm going with you."

Li Pingfu showed no surprise. His younger brother might appear carefree normally, but when family was threatened, he stood straighter and charged faster than anyone.

"Then father and Yuanhu will protect our home," Li Pingfu said gravely. With Li Rongzhou now a Houtian expert and Li Yuanhu reaching Divine Execution Realm, plus the impregnable Seven Spirit Array protecting the Li Family Mansion, they could handle most threats.

Decision made, Li Pingcan felt inexplicable guilt. He found Xie Yuan in the backyard, quietly sewing a small tiger hat for their unborn child in the corridor sunlight that haloed her gentle profile with sacred light.

Approaching, he struggled for words.

"Husband, I already know." Xie Yuan set aside her needlework without resentment, only deep concern. "How long will you be gone?"

"I..." His voice thickened. "I don't know. But I promise to return for our child's birth."

"I believe you." Rising, she straightened his collar with slightly trembling hands. "Don't feel guilty."

Her eyes reddened but didn't cry. "You're a man who shoulders the world's responsibilities. I only ask one thing - prioritize your safety. If you're well, our child and I fear nothing. Without you... life would mean nothing."

Resting her head against his chest, she listened to his heartbeat as he held her tightly. With such a wife, what more could he ask?

In Zhao Sisi's courtyard, Li Mengjin dropped his wooden sword and ran over excitedly upon seeing him. "Father!"

Kneeling, Li Pingcan ruffled his hair. "Father must travel far to fight naughty beasts. Practice your sword well, obey mother and grandmother, understand?"

"I can fight too!" Li Mengjin waved his small fists earnestly. "My sword's fast! I'll help!"

Chuckling, then turning serious, Li Pingcan said, "A true swordsman's sharpest blade protects what's precious. I entrust mother and our home to you - your first duty as a man. Can you do it?"

Though not fully understanding, Li Mengjin puffed his chest at "duty," nodding vigorously. "Yes! I'll protect mother!"

Kissing his forehead and reassuring Zhao Sisi, Li Pingcan departed.

His Animal Companion slot had long been empty. Normally fine, but now was time to fill it. 'The Dayu River's upper reaches are treacherous with undercurrents and beasts. Having the Green Jiao as guide and fighter would greatly improve our chances.'

Going straight to the Qing River's depths, Li Pingcan said bluntly: "I want to form a soul contract with you."

The Green Jiao froze, golden serpent eyes turning solemn. This deepest bond would link their lives, fortunes, and strengths forever, laying bare all secrets.

"Are you certain?" it asked seriously after consideration.

"Absolutely." Li Pingcan met its gaze firmly. "With the beast disaster coming, you're among my most trusted partners."

The Green Jiao fell silent, studying this "little carp" who'd repeatedly achieved miracles despite apparent weakness. It remembered his help scratching itches, conquering the Dragon Palace trials, even sharing precious Fire Spirit Mushrooms... Their bond had long surpassed ordinary friendship.

"Very well!" It suddenly flicked its tail heroically. "This Jiao's life was already tied to yours! Proceed!"

Closing its eyes, it completely lowered its spiritual defenses. Touched by this absolute trust, Li Pingcan activated Animal Companion without hesitation.

Sacred contract energy flowed from his palm, instantly connecting their souls.

"Hum!"

Li Pingcan saw the Green Jiao's memories - hatching confused from its egg, growing alone in the river depths, accidentally obtaining dragon lineage... All its joys and sorrows flowed through his mind as vivid images.

Similarly, the Green Jiao experienced Li Pingcan's life - all his efforts and sweat protecting family.

'Well I'll be!' Its mental voice exploded in Li Pingcan's mind, shocked. 'I thought you were my fish brother, but you're actually human!'

Now sharing complete transparency of soul and intent, they received system notifications:

[You have formed an equal soul contract with Green Jiao, making it your loyal companion!]

[You gained Green Jiao's bloodline talent: Dragon Might (You emit ancient dragon authority, absolutely intimidating lower-tier beasts while permanently enhancing physical strength and recovery.)]

"Dragon Might? Such a domineering talent!"

As he marveled, an even greater energy surged through their bond - the Green Jiao's years of accumulated spiritual energy from consuming rare treasures! So immense it instantly loosened Li Pingcan's bottleneck at Refining Qi Stage Four's peak!

"Not good!"

Startled by this unexpected "bonus," Li Pingcan immediately sat cross-legged, circulating Earth God Refining Qi Technique to channel the sudden influx.

Within his dantian's energy sea, his mana vortex spun unprecedentedly fast, purifying wildly. Stream-like mana became a raging river, painfully expanding his dantian and meridians with each cycle.

Gritting his teeth, he guided this power to repeatedly assault the invisible barrier. Simultaneously, the new Dragon Might talent resonated strangely with his Martial Way Golden Body.

An ancient, domineering presence awakened deep within his flesh, actively absorbing and refining the wild energy into pure blood qi that nourished his body instead - perfectly demonstrating dual cultivation's advantages!

"Break!"

Focusing all energy into one point, Li Pingcan smashed through the barrier!

"Boom!"

The bottleneck shattered. Far purer, denser mana erupted from his dantian, flooding through his body like a mighty river. His consciousness expanded, spiritual sense surged, and sensitivity to heaven-earth energy sharpened dramatically.

Refining Qi Stage Five!

Slowly opening his eyes, a brilliant light flashed briefly within them.

Now, facing the beast disaster ahead, he would fear nothing.