Chapter 3: Passing on the Magic Technique

The crimson giant dragon that filled the entire temple coiled around the man's knees; the closer its body got to the tail, the more transparent it became, casting the man in Li Guanyi's eyes both as a god and a demon.

This god-like crimson dragon didn't actually exist.

Only Li Guanyi, with the capability of the bronze tripod's imprint, could catch a glimpse of it.

It was not until a month ago when he met this man that the bronze tripod, silent for ten years on Li Guanyi's body, began to show its unique traits. The severe poison that often flared up was suppressed, and he gained the special Pupil Skill to see this dragon with his naked eye.

On one hand, poisoned and close to death, and on the other, the odd phenomena of the bronze cauldron suppressing the poison, Li Guanyi naturally seized the opportunity.

The radiant light in Li Guanyi's eyes dispersed, the divine dragon's image in his eyes vanished, he pretended to only see a common beggar, then kneeled on the cushion in the Mountain God Temple, laid out the purchased roasted chicken, steamed buns, and wine in order, and with hands clasped, prayed sincerely to the statue.

For this month, he pretended to frequent the temple to worship the Mountain God, leaving behind the wine and meat, which the extraordinary man consumed. He visited every two or three days, each visit lasting only the time it took to burn one stick of incense.

He maintained a balance, allowing the Jade Liquid within the bronze tripod to accumulate gradually without causing the man to overly suspect him.

He acted like a devout young man from the city, never even speaking a word to the man.

He planned to slowly close the gap, naturally becoming familiar, and then to seize the chance to stimulate the bronze tripod from this big man.

But now, he likely had no such time.

After finishing his usual prayer, thinking about the cloud pattern that appeared in his recurrent nightmares, as well as the turnaround this month had brought, Li Guanyi, determined, still kneeled on the cushion but suddenly spoke out, "Today, a Ti Qi clad in red animal-patterned garb followed a youth with cloud-patterned sleeves into the pharmacy."

"They said a criminal who had escaped jail had stolen the needed medicinal ingredients."

"They also left a notice, stating that anyone with information should report to the government office, with a reward of five hundred silver."

"I hope this matter passes quickly and the pharmacy returns to normal."

The big man sitting there finally slowly opened his eyes.

Li Guanyi thought he heard a deep and solemn Dragon Roar near his ear and instinctively lifted his head.

Without the need for the essence from the bronze tripod, his vision already split into two worlds, one real and the other illusory; in one, the dilapidated Mountain God Temple with its ruined walls and in the other, a streaming crimson light and roaming clouds, within which the colossal Azure Dragon's head was pressed against the young man's forehead, slightly stirring his black hair.

The clouds burst suddenly, the Red Dragon's eyes brightening with fire, only to be shattered by a formidable figure.

The tall beggar stepped out from within the clouds.

Surrounded by dragons.

In Li Guanyi's heart, the progression of the crimson Jade Liquid within the bronze tripod suddenly accelerated.

These phenomena were not visible to the naked eye.

The Jade Liquid within the bronze tripod rose rapidly, and the beggar watched the young man before him.

During these days, he had also covertly observed Li Guanyi. At their first meeting, weak yet calm, he had brought food and drink. Initially, it could be due to kindness, but the next day after mentioning his unbearable thirst, an additional jug of wine appeared, signifying the boy wasn't merely kind to a fault.

But rather astute, recognizing his own abilities, likely with a purpose in mind.

Still, it took a full month without any attempt at initiating conversation or building a relationship.

Until today, when he finally took the initiative to speak these words, still addressing the Mountain God rather than directly acknowledging that he knew he was a fugitive, just like a normal young man beseeching in prayer, careful and calculating, unhurried.

Impressed within, the beggar suddenly laughed heartily, bowed deeply and said, "This past month, thank you, young brother, for bringing me some wine and meat to satiate my cravings."

"And for coming to deliver this message today, but it seems now, we may no longer linger here."

With a sigh, the beggar sat down, tore off a chicken leg and chewed voraciously, then lifted a jug of wine to his lips and gulped it down, finishing the large fatty chicken and ten large white steamed buns, enough for an ordinary family, devouring everything swiftly.

After eating, he picked his teeth with a bone, saying, "I'm full now."

Suddenly sighing, "I indeed incurred injuries, and do not wish to clash head-on with those curs. It would be best if no one knew we were here. Since you've delivered the message, I cannot disregard your kindness. Here, you've gone through the trouble of bringing me food and drink these past days, take this."

The beggar fished out a Luminous Pearl the size of a thumb from his chest and handed it to Li Guanyi with bravado:

"I didn't bring gold or silver with me, but this pearl is still worth some money, take it!"

Li Guanyi looked at the bright and perfectly round pearl, immediately recognizing its immense value, yet he shook his head.

The beggar was stunned, then burst into laughter, saying, "It's my mistake. If you were greedy, you would have gone to the government office and turned me in long ago, and those five hundred taels of silver would have been safer to hold than this pearl, without worries of it being traced back to anything."

Li Guanyi shook his head again, saying, "That's not it."

"I want it too."

"But I can't protect this pearl."

"Taking it would only bring trouble."

The beggar, intrigued, said, "Can't protect it? Oh? Are you suggesting you want something else from me?"

"Hahaha, tell me, what do you want?"

Li Guanyi nodded, his mind raced through various thoughts — the Red Dragon's origin connected to the bronze tripod couldn't be revealed; the source of the poison involving an escape from murder ten years ago was also risky to expose. Eventually, Li Guanyi looked up and spoke, his words concise and clear:

"I want to learn martial arts from you!"

A glimpse of an Azure Dragon rose in his eyes, a hint of longing surfacing deep within him.

The rain-soaked night from ten years ago lingered at the bottom of his heart, the Cloud Pattern of the cavalry stalking him like a shadow; he yearned for the strength to protect himself and his aunt, yet his body was poisoned, leaving him with only the bronze tripod and the Big man capable of changing it as his only hopes.

The Big man scrutinized Li Guanyi's eyes and suddenly cracked a broad smile.

In a swish, he appeared behind Li Guanyi.

He pressed his hand on Li Guanyi's shoulder and then pinched his arm and back, raising his eyebrows, saying, "Your root bone is unexpectedly quite good, but, have you been poisoned?"

"The toxin has damaged your muscle veins and root bone, it's likely reduced your root bone grade by more than just one."

"Hey, the back injury is severe, was it done by the Ti Qi under the Night Rider Cavalry of Chen Country?"

"A bunch of bullies and nitwits."

He gently patted Li Guanyi's back, a gentle breath flowed into Li Guanyi, and the bruising on his back quickly faded. The beggar then sat cross-legged in front of Li Guanyi, arms encircled in front, fingers lightly twirling his beard, staring at the young man, his brows slightly furrowed.

Although the root bone was only slightly better, it was rare to find such an agile and meticulous temperament in one so young, proceeding and retreating in measure.

For his age, it was quite impressive.

However, taking on an apprentice and passing on the heritage was no ordinary matter.

His mastery was mixed but at a very high level in all he knew; tossing out a cultivation technique offhandedly was easy, but with his bold nature, he couldn't bring himself to do such things. Yet teaching divine martial skills was definitely not that simple either.

Moreover, this boy…

He looked at the marks on Li Guanyi's clothes and knew the boy had not resisted at all just now. That was not the focus; the point was that after the Ti Qi had lifted him and slammed him on the table, he had turned over and hidden his face.

Everyone fears death.

It's human nature.

The more ingenious and insightful, the more they cherish their lives.

But martial artists are different; a Martial Artist needs a degree of ferocity!

Such a cautious, mentally agile child had talent but lacked that touch of malevolent ferocity, unsuitable for his path. However, having met such a youth at this time, he felt a twinge of appreciation for talent. Deciding not to hastily take an apprentice, he resolved to test him, saying:

"The Night Rider Cavalry's lackeys have spotted me already; I can't stay here much longer."

"I will leave tomorrow. I'll go check the surroundings now; if you truly have the heart to learn martial arts, tonight is the Ghost Festival. Find me here at the midnight hour!"

This location was isolated; although Guan Yi City of Chen Country had no curfew during the Ghost Festival, for a young boy to venture into the Mountain God Temple at midnight to meet a fugitive was definitely not something a timid child would dare do. If this young boy could manage that, then he had some courage, and why not pass on a skill before leaving?

The Big man made up his mind:

"I will teach you a magic technique!"