After Li Rongzhou stood up against Li Dahu and displayed his strength as a Bone Realm martial artist, the village gossip abruptly diminished. In small villages beyond the reach of the Dao Laws, most people feared power rather than respected virtue. Demonstrating martial prowess remained the fastest way to change others' opinions.

Gradually, some farmers became willing to interact with the Li family—today you gift me a basket of wild vegetables, tomorrow I present you with mushrooms. As matters settled down, Li Rongzhou disguised himself and went to the black market in Flat Peach Town to purchase auxiliary herbs for neutralizing centipede venom, preparing a potent medicinal brew at home.

Buying martial artist-specific herbs on the black market actually cost 10-20% more than regular markets. But for safety and secrecy, Li Rongzhou preferred paying extra rather than exposing his identity.

Today at the Li family's doorstep, Little Black appeared to be idly bullying sparrows from a branch while actually maintaining full vigilance. Inside, boiling water bubbled vigorously on the stove as the three brothers watched their father prepare the medicine with curiosity. As various strangely shaped herbs were added to the pot, the entire kitchen filled with a wondrous medicinal aroma.

"Blue Star Grass, Purple Soul Sand, Three-Night Flower, Yang Snake Eggs..." Li Rongzhou instructed them on the types, timing, and measurements while brewing—just as his own master had patiently taught him years ago. This moment perfectly mirrored those past memories, evoking nostalgia for carefree times.

"Finally, the main ingredient—one drop of venom from the Purple-Gold Blood Centipede."

"Here it comes."

Li Pingcan gently soothed Hundred Legs, who had signaled three days earlier about venom production. The Purple-Gold Blood Centipede waved its antennae and moved its mandibles, releasing a drop of purple-gold venom that resembled a lustrous pearl glowing with radiance.

"So beautiful! No wonder it's called 'Purple-Gold' despite lacking purple light," Li Ping'an marveled, finally understanding why the venom was worth ten taels of silver. His resentment over his father's "forced compensation" to Li Dahu lessened somewhat, though this grudge would eventually be repaid.

"Sizzle!"

The venom dropped into the pot, immediately producing a sharp sound. The herbs boiled violently, their fragrance transforming into a pungent, strangely appealing odor. The family kept watch by the stove, burning half a kilogram of firewood before finally reducing the concoction into a thick purple paste—about twenty grams when jarred.

"Let's call it 'Purple Centipede Paste.' Dissolve it in water for consumption—we'll test its potency." Li Rongzhou prepared antidote pills as backup before being the first to try.

Upon drinking the dissolved paste, his blood qi surged instantly. A burning sensation traveled from his throat to his abdomen before erupting from his dantian, turning his skin bright red. "Incredible potency!" The effect proved far stronger than the blood qi medicines his master had brewed at the martial arts school, likely due to the superior main ingredient. Yet there was no painful stinging—clearly all toxicity had been converted to medicinal power.

Without hesitation, he began practicing Crane Style. Normally graceful crane movements now carried terrifying force. After completing five sets, instead of feeling exhausted as usual, Li Rongzhou remained vigorous—energetic enough for several more sets. His face lit up with joy—taking this every three days would boost his chances of breaking through to the Blood Qi Realm by thirty percent! However, he quickly dismissed the thought—there wasn't enough paste for multiple people. 'My talent is mediocre. With or without medicine, reaching Blood Qi Realm would still take ten years. Better reserve it for Pingfu and Pingcan.'

His youngest had shown keen interest in martial arts since childhood. Without him, they could never have obtained the Purple-Gold Blood Centipede despite all planning—he deserved a share to build his martial foundation.

"Father, let me try some too!" Seeing his father's energized state, Li Pingcan looked like a greedy kitten, itching for a taste.

Snapping from his thoughts, Li Rongzhou chuckled and carefully diluted a small portion—not out of stinginess, but because children required strict dosage control. Li Pingcan sipped like a kitten lapping water, his face scrunching up as he stuck out his tongue. "So spicy!" It burned his throat like strong liquor. Not daring to waste any, he gulped it down and imitated his father's martial movements. After fully absorbing the medicine, Li Pingcan delightedly discovered his mana capacity had increased—enough for three more spells!

...Half a month passed in a flash.

At home, father and sons drank the dissolved Purple Centipede Paste together before training. Originally reluctant, Li Rongzhou yielded to Li Pingfu's persuasion and Li Pingcan's pestering. Ultimately, it was the children's filial piety—they refused exclusive benefits, preferring to share hardships. Touched yet pained, Li Rongzhou sighed—had their family remained prosperous, the children wouldn't need such sacrifices.

Young Li Pingcan exhausted his stamina after one basic form set, observing his father and elder brother's movements and breathing. 'Crane Style requires light breathing; Black Tiger Technique demands vigorous breaths. Different martial systems have distinct rhythms.' Yet neither matched his goals. Martial arts served only for self-defense and mana enhancement—he never forgot his true pursuit was immortality! After all, why should a Druid engage in combat? With sufficient lifespan and family connections for planting trees to level up his profession, his future path was clear. 'What I truly need to emulate is a long-lived species' breathing method—like the Mystic Turtle!'

Regarding longevity, turtles immediately came to mind—preferably enlightened mystic turtles. This couldn't be rushed—it required "fate's arrangement." Stretching his muscles, he continued watching his father and brother practice. Even after his father finished, his elder brother kept going. "What's happening?" Martial training required moderation—overexertion could deplete blood qi despite the paste's assistance. Surely his brother knew this.

Li Pingcan glanced questioningly at his father, who quietly signaled silence while watching Li Pingfu with tense excitement. They both remained silent as Li Pingfu's movements grew increasingly fierce—leaping and striking like a mountain overlord until he finally roared like a tiger, instilling fear. "ROAR!" When his skin turned from crimson to deep black, Li Pingfu exhaled contentedly, refreshed and beaming. "Father! I broke through!"

"Good lad!" Li Rongzhou cheered. "That's my son!" Li Pingcan's eyes sparkled—even with the paste's help, his brother achieving Meat Realm after just two years of training was truly remarkable! In martial families, he'd be considered natural talent with general potential!

When Lady Qin and Li Ping'an heard the news, the family celebrated with extra meat dishes. After dinner, Li Rongzhou privately advised Li Pingfu: "Keep your breakthrough quiet for now—only your master should know." This reflected veteran martial artists' habit of keeping cards close to their chest.

"Don't worry, Father. I'm not who I used to be." Having learned from the Li Fang incident, Li Pingfu fully understood the value of discretion.