The power of combined skills was undeniable.  

[Spore Growth] and [Spore Sense] were synergistic skills from the same branch. When used together to spread fungal growth, they could instantly triple one's visual range, easily covering the entire Peach Blossom Village.  

The idea of using [Thorn Whip] to hurl stones had occurred to Li Pingcan three years ago, but material limitations forced him to abandon it—finding suitable stones locally wasn't easy.  

But with [Enchanted Stone], this initial concept no longer seemed like just a fantasy.  

By shaping designated rocks into optimal sizes and using Thorn Whip's momentum to launch them while simultaneously enchanting the stones with magic, Li Pingcan created a veritable "hailstorm of enchanted stones"!  

The more he thought about it, the more excited he became. He even considered using [Dance of the Wind] for micro-adjustments to improve accuracy and increase throwing distance.  

"A group spell—'Thorn Whip Stone Volley'—if perfected, might rival first-tier magic! Enough to handle multiple Bone Realm martial artists, maybe even Blood Qi warriors!"  

No time like the present.  

"One random stone, one dose of magical energy, plus twisted thorns as a sling... thus the Thorn Whip Stone Volley is..."  

"Wait, why are my thorns dying?"  

The formerly vibrant, writhing thorns now oozed purple mucus where they contacted the enchanted stones, making disgusting squelching sounds as the viscous fluid dripped to the ground.  

Li Pingcan stroked his chin. Apparently this batch of stones had been enchanted with "toxin," which completely neutralized the thorns. The druid-summoned vines clearly had no magical resistance against poison.  

To solve this, he'd either need to enhance the thorns' magic resistance or precisely time the enchantment to occur during release, avoiding contact between stone and vine.  

"[Enchanted Stone], [Thorn Whip], [Spore Growth]!"  

"Failed again. Once more!"  

Stone after stone was reshaped and launched at a tree trunk ten paces away, producing satisfying thuds upon impact.  

After repeated attempts, he gradually found his rhythm, executing the sequence smoothly in one fluid motion.  

But merely "throwing" the stones wasn't enough—both accuracy and power fell short, with projectiles frequently veering wildly off course. This was just single-vine control, far from his envisioned "stone hailstorm" ideal.  

"Maybe I should ask big brother for throwing tips."  

His eldest brother had shown natural "sharpshooter" talent since childhood. Surely borrowing some basic techniques wouldn't be too much to ask—it wasn't like he needed advanced precision.  

Checking his steadily improving skill proficiency, Li Pingcan hummed cheerfully as he headed home for dinner.  

Over several days of post-training practice in secluded woods, he not only gained control over accuracy—achieving consistent 50-meter throws within 5-meter variance—but also made some discoveries:  

Thorn length under two meters, stones shaped like olive pellets, and a 45-degree launch angle produced optimal power.  

"Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!"  

Five simultaneous lashes!  

Distant paper mulberry trees shook violently under the assault, with one three-centimeter sapling snapping clean in half—impressive destructive potential!  

Li Pingcan nodded approvingly.  

"The enchantments from [Enchanted Stone] have decent effects: stinging causes sharp pain, frost slows movement, poison deals lingering damage. Not amazing yet, but at max level, the enchantments should become truly formidable."  

Plenty of room for improvement.  

Most importantly, this combo skill excelled against groups! With sufficient "mana," Li Pingcan could theoretically create a sky-blotting storm of thorn-launched magical stones!  

"Enough research for today—time for dinner!"  

Chewing on a grass stem, he headed downhill only to frown at a familiar sight.  

"Yuan Yuan?"  

Xie Yuan stood surrounded by village children, engaged in what appeared to be a heated argument. Spotting Li Pingcan's approach, the kids shrieked "Monster!" and scattered like startled birds.  

"Brother Can!" Xie Yuan's eyes were red-rimmed like a little rabbit's, lips trembling on the verge of tears. "What does 'living on others' charity' mean? Am I a bad child Grandma didn't want?"  

Anger flared in Li Pingcan—not toward Xie Yuan, but those cruel brats.  

Though content to enjoy childhood comforts and fraternal protection he'd never experienced in his past life, his mature transmigrator's perspective made him immune to such petty gossip.  

But Xie Yuan was a genuine six-year-old.  

Such venomous words could leave lasting scars on a child's psyche.  

"Yuan Yuan, you were Grandma's most treasured darling." Li Pingcan wiped her face with a handkerchief. "You're not living on charity—you're my little sister, Li Pingcan's sister."  

He carefully explained how Grandmaster's gift of [White Crane Style] proved her grandparents' undiminished love and regard.  

Xie Yuan looked up in innocent confusion. "So Brother Can is the Crane successor?"  

Li Pingcan smiled faintly. "You could say that."  

"But Grandfather said Crane Style can't be taught to non-Xie family..."  

Her tiny face scrunched in thought before suddenly brightening. "I know! When I grow up, I'll marry Brother Can! Then our baby can inherit the Crane Style!"  

"You..." Li Pingcan didn't know whether to laugh or cry.  

Technically, any son of his would indeed be surnamed Li.  

Then again, childish whims hardly needed correcting—by adulthood, she'd likely forget this entirely!  

........  

After her "grand declaration," Xie Yuan became Li Pingcan's constant shadow, clinging to him like a devoted duckling.  

Li Pingfu watched enviously. "Why does little sister only like Can?"  

He adored her too—why didn't she follow him around?  

Li Ping'an shelved books while delivering a brutal assessment: "You're built like a black bear—who wouldn't be scared?"  

His gaze lingered on Xie Yuan with subtle displeasure. This interloper monopolized their youngest brother's attention—when was the last time he'd had a proper talk with Can? Watching their interactions left an acidic taste in his mouth. Not jealousy, obviously!  

Whatever. He wasn't about to compete with a child for affection. Back to studying.  

Unaware of his second brother's sour mood, Li Pingcan maintained his routine: train, practice combo skills, rest—repeat.  

Until one day...  

Returning home as usual, Li Pingcan encountered the same trio of village troublemakers.  

Despite repeated humiliations, these persistent brats kept returning like stubborn NPCs determined to complete their questline.  

Probably because Li Pingcan had never truly punished them.  

"Monster!" "Freak!"  

The eight- and nine-year-olds brandished sticks, emboldened by numbers.  

"My patience has been too generous lately."  

Letting them grow this audacious.  

Just as Li Pingcan prepared to teach them a real lesson—  

"Don't bully Brother Can!"  

Xie Yuan burst into tears, trembling as she positioned herself protectively before Li Pingcan. "G-go away! Leave now!"  

"Who's this brat? Scram!"  

As the ringleader reached to shove Xie Yuan aside, a hand clamped his wrist like a vice. No amount of struggling could break free, leaving the boy howling in pain.  

"Get lost."  

"Hmph! Fine! We weren't scared anyway!"  

He stormed off, oblivious to the faint glow now [Marking] him.  

Late that night...  

Snoring filled the troublemaker's home as something stirred in the shadows.  

Half-asleep, he rubbed his eyes and peered into the darkness—  

Just as an endless black tide of insects surged forth.