Druid Fairy

Chapter 37 Awakening Talisman

The martial arts tournament is actually a competition jointly organized by many martial arts schools with the motto "Friendship first, martial arts second".

The so-called "friendship first" is all empty talk; the real purpose is to become number one in martial arts, make a name for their martial arts school, and attract more students.

These days, the competition for martial arts school enrollment is fierce!

Many of the participants were disciples trained by "individual martial arts masters," with the same goal of making a name for themselves. Of course, some were also aiming for the top ten rewards.

Zhou Enxian said, "Martial arts should not be practiced in isolation. One can only improve faster by exchanging skills with fellow practitioners. Pingfu should have some experience at his age."

No one in the village his age, or even those older than Li Pingfu, could beat him.

Sometimes Zhou Enxian even doubted whether he, a martial artist at the Qi and Blood Realm, could teach such a martial arts genius well.
Whether for Li Pingfu's future or for his own reputation, this martial arts tournament is a good choice.

Li Rongzhou thought for a moment and said, "Let's ask Pingfu. He can make the decision himself."

Over the years, Li Pingfu has shed his impetuousness and become calm and composed. Even when others are unreasonable, he does not engage in emotional arguments and acts with much less arrogance.

But it's not about cowering and enduring; it's about making a mental note of grudges and waiting for the right opportunity to get revenge.

Upon hearing Zhou Enxian's words, Li Pingfu asked, "Master, what are the rewards for the martial arts tournament?"

"Don't bother arguing for the top three. It's not that you're not good enough, it's that your master isn't capable enough," Zhou Enxian sighed.

The martial arts tournament is divided into junior, youth, and adult groups. Li Pingfu is fifteen years old and belongs to the junior group, while those who are sixteen or older belong to the youth group.

In the junior group, martial artists at the Tendon Realm level are somewhat like bullying the weak, but they are not without rivals.

As for the prizes for the top three, they are Qi and Blood Pills, genuine pills refined by immortals, with each martial arts school having its own predetermined number.

Even if you are lucky enough to get the elixir, someone will teach you to be sensible in the future.

Li Pingfu nodded. He was no longer the child who sought "reason and law"; he knew that the world was inherently unfair.

Zhou Enxian continued, "However, you can compete for the top ten. There is a Mind-Awakening Talisman that can improve your comprehension in a short time, which is extremely beneficial to your mental state in martial arts cultivation."

This is also a talisman from the immortals. Compared to the visible and tangible effects of the Qi and Blood Pill, the effects of the Awakening Talisman vary from person to person. Some people experience good results, while others feel nothing at all. Therefore, Zhou Enxian felt that it was worth fighting for.

Most martial arts school owners are martial artists with blood and qi as powerful as dragons and at the Divine Fiend Realm. They also have some bargaining power when dealing with Qi Refining cultivators at the first or third level of Qi Refining.

Upon hearing the word "awakening talisman," Li Pingfu's mind stirred, and he replied, "Master, I would like to participate."

"Then get ready, you'll be coming to Pantao Town with me tomorrow."

…………

At first, it was just Zhou Enxian bringing his apprentice to participate in the competition.

In the end, the whole family decided to go to town together to cheer for Li Pingfu.

"Dad, I'm just participating in a competition, is it really necessary for the whole family to come?"

Seeing his younger siblings' excited expressions, Li Pingfu, who was not nervous at first, became a little more nervous.

"I'm just showing your mother and the others around town; watching you practice boxing is just a side thing."

Li Rongzhou hired an oxcart, intending to take his family to town. As they passed a house in Peach Blossom Village, they heard the sound of whips cracking and the wailing of someone in agony.

Li Pingcan glanced at the mushroom and immediately hissed.

This family was the home of the "possessed" child. In an effort to "exorcise" the evil spirit, the parents whipped the child's body with willow branches dipped in salt.

They were unwilling to spend money to find a "master" to take a look, so they used folk remedies and smoked for half a month at a time, while asking fiercely, "Are you possessed?" The naughty child cried out, "I'm not possessed!"
This sight would terrify even evil spirits!

Li Pingcan thought he was ruthless enough in scaring the kids with bugs, but he didn't expect their parents to be even more ruthless!

…………

Pantao Town features blue bricks and green tiles, and boasts a full range of markets, taverns, and inns.

While saying they were going shopping, Li Rongzhou casually bought candied hawthorns for Li Pingcan and Xie Yuan. Before the martial arts competition was even scheduled, the family had already secured a spot with a good view, waiting for Li Pingfu to take the stage.

"Clang clang clang!"

The gong was struck.

The martial arts tournament is about to begin.

Each martial arts school displayed its banner, including Azure Dragon Martial Arts School, Black Bear Martial Arts School, Vermilion Bird Martial Arts School... It was like opening a zoo.

In the eyes of the ancients, the most obvious aspect of beasts like dragons and bears was their ferocity, which inspired awe.

Soon, martial artists began to spar in pairs, occasionally throwing themselves off the stage.

Sitting on his father's shoulders, Li Pingcan noticed that, at the same age, the martial arts school disciples had more robust qi and blood than the disciples of individual masters.

The income of residents in Pantao Town is much higher than that of ordinary rural areas, and Peach Blossom Village is relatively well-off because of its specialty peaches, so many children can practice martial arts.

Even so, the difference in the quality of qi and blood medicine is still evident, and nine out of ten rural disciples lose.

Is it because I'm not trying?
It's all about money!
The rich rely on technology, the poor rely on mutation—that's absolutely true. Now it's the eldest brother's turn.

Li Pingfu did not take the initiative to attack, but waited for his opponent to attack continuously. When he found an opening, he made a clean and neat takedown, directly knocking his opponent upside down!
"Wow!"

"A beautiful win!"

"Big brother is awesome!"

The Li family erupted in excited cheers.

Soon, they won the second and third rounds, and reached the finals.

A commotion broke out on the platform. The martial arts school owners looked at the young man in surprise, marveling at his potential, and announced a change in the competition rules.

The battle turned into a free-for-all.

Li Rongzhou frowned. "This is bad. Pingfu is an outsider. He might be targeted."

Even changing the competition format is a form of targeting.

Even a tiger, though strong, is difficult to fight when surrounded by wolves.

Li Pingcan's eyes widened. What's wrong with these martial arts school owners? Do they even want to monopolize the Awakening Talisman?!
Just as Li Rongzhou had predicted.

A chaotic battle ensued, with disciples from different martial arts schools unusually joining forces to surround Li Pingfu.

Regardless of their strength or status, they do not allow outsiders to sit at the table.

"Let me give you a piece of advice, you country bumpkin: get down there yourself, and you'll get beaten up less!"

Li Pingfu calmly said, "I just want a talisman to wake me up."

"You dare to challenge me?!" the man sneered, about to continue mocking him, when he saw Li Pingfu suddenly leap up like a tiger.

Capture the thief first and capture the king!
Mad Tiger Style!
Ignoring the fists behind and in front of him, Li Pingfu focused on punching and kicking the person who was mocking him, beating him until he cried out for his parents and shouted that he had to forfeit!

He immediately changed his target and forfeited again.

Fierce movements, covered in wounds!
The images before my eyes were overlapping, and I couldn't tell if the sweat or blood in front of me was salty, a bit like the egg drop soup my mother used to make.

I don’t know how long.

Li Pingfu stood still, looking at the martial arts school disciples who feared him like a tiger, and asked, "Who else is coming?"

No one dared to step forward; this man was too fierce and aggressive, like a tiger entering a flock of sheep!
"Pingfu, you're in the top ten!"

Upon hearing his master's shout, Li Pingfu stepped down from the battle platform, his back covered in bruises and blood.

"Pingfu!"

Qin said with heartache, "They're clearly targeting you, you should abstain."

"Mother, a warrior cannot give up easily."

“Wife, Pingfu is right.” Li Rongzhou applied the medicated oil to his son.

Zhou Enxian sighed, "Who told us to be so weak?"

They can't even get a fair fight.

His father applied the medicated oil too hard, causing Li Pingfu to grimace in pain. In fact, he didn't care about the different treatment he received today.

I felt a little smug inside.

He always liked to keep something to himself, and even after being severely beaten, he never revealed his special skills in front of everyone. This composure amazed even himself.

Li Pingcan remembered the names of those martial arts schools very well. A gentleman takes his revenge even after ten years!

…………

evening.

Li Pingfu tiptoed and sneaked into Li Pingcan's room.

"Big brother, what are you doing?" Li Pingcan had already noticed his older brother's furtive movements.

"Of course it's good news." Seeing his younger brother's puzzled expression, Li Pingfu chuckled and took out a talisman to refresh himself.

"Young man, keep this talisman safe. You'll need it when we test your spiritual roots."

"Big brother, I don't want it! You fought for this!" He even got punched a lot!
"Take it, listen to your brother, take it!"

Without a word, he shoved the object into his younger brother's hand. Li Pingfu patted his brother's shoulder, but accidentally aggravated his wound. His face twisted as he comforted him, "Don't worry about testing your spiritual root. Go forward boldly. Whether you have a spiritual root or not, you're still my brother."

"elder brother!"

Li Pingcan held the talisman, still warm from his brother's body, his heart swelling with warmth, like a spring breeze blowing into a valley, filling up the desolation.

(End of this chapter)