Wait… I’m a Druid in a Cultivation World?! - Chapter 71

With just one week left, Qi Ping didn’t do anything particularly special.

He maintained his usual routine: cultivating, nurturing spirit herbs, and occasionally tending to the various flowers planted on the mountain. Sometimes, he would even gain a bit of Druid level experience from these tasks.

Although it was considerably less than what he gained from accelerating the growth of spirit herbs, the accumulated experience over time had likely added up to several dozen levels by now.

Little by little, it had become quite a substantial amount.

The best part was that these activities were done during breaks between cultivating and tending to spirit herbs, so they didn’t interfere with his main priorities.

Once, when Qi Ping went to check on the black dwarf bees, he found the honey in the hive nearly overflowing. It was then that he realized he hadn’t collected the honey produced by these bees in quite some time.

It was currently the spring-summer season, and the production of ordinary honey was rapid. After collecting and appraising it, Qi Ping estimated the honey was worth about thirty to forty spirit stones—a modest but welcome gain.

The reason Qi Ping maintained this rhythm of life wasn’t just for the experience or spirit stones; it was also to temper his heart.

The path of immortal cultivation values innate talent, but it also emphasizes mental fortitude. The higher one’s cultivation level, the more critical one’s heart and mind become.

Unlike spirit beasts, human cultivators cannot rely solely on resources to advance rapidly. A spirit beast with a third-tier bloodline, like a Wind-Thunder Spirit Eagle, can reach the third tier—equivalent to a Golden Core cultivator—simply by having sufficient resources, even if it spends its days sleeping.

But humans must advance step by step, starting from the Qi Refining stage. Without unwavering determination and a strong heart, it is impossible to reach higher realms, let alone control world-shattering power.

At the Nascent Soul stage, cultivators face an extremely terrifying Heart Demon Tribulation.

Countless brilliant talents have perished under this tribulation. Those who overcome it are invariably individuals with extraordinary mental fortitude, many of whom began tempering their hearts as early as the Qi Refining stage.

Only with a resolute heart, aligned with the Dao, can one reach the pinnacle of the great path.

As for what the Dao is—that depends on the individual. Some pursue the Path of Slaughter, others the Path of Emotionlessness or Emotional Attachment, and there are even those who prove their Dao through wine or desire…

This is common knowledge in the cultivation world. Over the past five years, Qi Ping had developed a habit of reading all kinds of books, so he was well-informed about many aspects of cultivation.

However, due to his previously low innate talent and lack of resources, the Middle Qi Refining stage had once been his limit. No matter how much he knew, it had been useless.

But now, things were different.

With the Druid profession, Qi Ping knew he had the opportunity to advance step by step.

Whether it was the possibility of raising Gold Marrow Bees to the third tier using the Insect Cultivation Manual or the unwavering determination and gradually evolving bloodline of his Lihuo Crow, both gave Qi Ping the confidence to tread the path of immortality and longevity.

Moreover, Qi Ping still had an available animal companion slot. In a little over two months, when his Druid level increased again, he would gain another slot.

As long as he made wise choices with these crucial animal companion contracts, Qi Ping believed he would have the opportunity to reach higher realms of cultivation.

Under these circumstances, mental fortitude became incredibly important.

In matters of the heart, neither the Druid profession nor his animal companions could help Qi Ping—he had to rely solely on himself.

Old Man Zhou had once told him:

“On the path of cultivation, mental fortitude is extremely important. The further you go, the more critical it becomes…”

“Unfortunately, most rogue cultivators never even get the chance to face this challenge. The first major hurdle where mental fortitude becomes essential—breaking through to Foundation Establishment—is a realm countless rogue cultivators never reach in their entire lives.”

“That disciple I once had… his mental fortitude was among the greatest I’ve ever seen. Occasionally, word would reach me from the Qingtian Domain about some great feat he’d accomplished, but he never once returned to see me. Perhaps he walked the Path of Emotionlessness…”

Although Qi Ping felt his own will was relatively firm, he knew he was far from exceptional.

Thus, he had to start now to comprehend his own path. Otherwise, without a steadfast heart, he would surely fall to the heart demons.

One day, while cultivating, heart demons could suddenly arise, causing his cultivation to spiral out of control and leading to his death.

What Qi Ping needed to do now was simple: understand the path he truly wished to walk.

Facing external threats like rogue cultivators and demonic insects, he wanted to diligently improve his cultivation.
On the path of immortality, he aspired to reach the peak and attain eternal life.
In the face of perilous secret realms and the treacherous world of cultivation, he had no desire to venture out—he preferred to stay in his own place, farming, beekeeping, and cultivating…
Even while cultivating, he didn’t want to spend every day monotonously meditating and absorbing spiritual energy. He wanted his life to be richer and more comfortable. Otherwise, what was the point of longevity if it only meant endless, dull meditation? Cultivation could span hundreds of thousands, even millions, of years…

Qi Ping also wanted to tend to flowers and plants, nurture spirit herbs, and raise animal companions—that seemed just right.
Sometimes, observing the cycle of plants withering and blooming, flowers fading and seeding, and bees busily working… would give rise to many insights within Qi Ping’s heart.

Over time, Qi Ping felt he was getting closer to finding his own path.

At the very least, on his journey to seek the Dao, he had gained more determination and belief.

Three days before the Century Fire Spirit Nectar was successfully brewed, something happened that left Qi Ping quite annoyed.

The woman in green had returned!

To deal with the situation, Qi Ping hurriedly stored the spirit herbs in his storage bag and had the bees take them away. Then, he put on his straw hat and pretended to be tending to the flowers and plants he had long since planted in the forest.

It wasn’t long before the woman in green found him.

There was nothing Qi Ping could do but brace himself and approach her.

If she weren’t a disciple of the Qingyuan Sect, Qi Ping wouldn’t have needed to be so cautious. If things turned sour, he could simply resort to killing.

But when it came to disciples of the Qingyuan Sect, unless absolutely necessary, Qi Ping dared not take action. If he were to provoke a Golden Core or Nascent Soul elder, the most likely outcome would be a cold, lonely end for himself.

This time, dealing with the woman in green was even more troublesome than before.

Qi Ping could clearly sense that she was more impatient than usual.

He even detected her intention to mobilize more resources to investigate the area, though she seemed reluctant to let too many people know for some reason.

Qi Ping estimated that her patience would soon wear thin entirely.

Doing his best to play along, Qi Ping tried to buy himself at least one more week.

After a difficult exchange, he finally managed to send her away.

After this incident, Qi Ping realized how much he despised the feeling of his territory being invaded—even if the intruder was a peerlessly beautiful female cultivator.

He disliked the sense of his space being violated at any moment…

Thankfully, after sending the woman in green away, he had bought himself a little more time.

After three anxious days of waiting, the Fire Spirit Nectar—brewed with the century-old Fire Spirit Grass—was finally ready!