Chapter 17 Dragon Fire Jin Qi

Howl!!!

The Dragon Roar was too subtle and sharp, almost like the cry of a cat.

The bronze tripod emitted a faint flowing light, and the dragon head of the Red Dragon suddenly lunged out, biting Li Guanyi's fingertip with a howl. However, it was more playfulness than an attack, as Li Guanyi could feel a connection that seemed to link directly to his bloodline.

He unbuttoned his clothes and saw the bronze tripod light up at his chest, with only the head of the dragon leaving the body of the tripod.

The rest of the dragon was still blurred, not clear enough—the Imprint was not deep enough and still remained on the bronze tripod.

While playing with the dragon beast with his finger, Li Guanyi pondered how exactly the dragon beast had come out.

"Was it because it was influenced by the ancestral Dharma Form from the Xue Family, so it appeared prematurely?"

"So that's why only the head can leave the tripod."

Li Guanyi noticed that there were large patches of voids and dim spots on the bronze tripod.

It was as if, apart from this Red Dragon, there could exist many other divine beasts on the tripod. Could it be that by continually making contact with strong beings like Yue Qianfeng and ancestors from the Xue Family, and drawing from some existence they release,

it would imprint their Dharma Forms on the bronze tripod?

Hmm...

However, although the Dharma Form looked imposing, it was only small. What use could it be? Li Guanyi recalled that after coming into contact with the Red Dragon, it seemed ethereal and could integrate with his Inner Qi, so he tried again.

At first, the Red Dragon was uncooperative, shaking its head and curling its whiskers.

After several attempts, there was finally some yield.

The Red Dragon let out a fine, long chant.

Then it butted its head into the palm of Li Guanyi's hand. There was no sensation in the process, neither pain nor itch, but he immediately sensed a difference.

It felt as if a warm current spread from his palm, and the Inner Strength of "Breaking Formation Song" within him suddenly accelerated. Li Guanyi did not stop this contact, and the flow of "Breaking Formation Song" Inner Qi merged like a torrent, meeting the warm current, like cold water poured into boiling oil, instantaneously burst.

He seemed to hear a rumbling sound in his ears.

Before Li Guanyi knew it, his "Breaking Formation Song" Inner Qi had combined with the Red Dragon.

Instantly, they integrated seamlessly, transforming into another kind of more dominant, more intense Qi Mechanism.

As it flowed through his body, Li Guanyi could distinctly feel his physique growing stronger. The effect was much more potent than "Breaking Formation Song" Inner Strength; it was just unfortunate that this Red Dragon Qi Mechanism had spread only a tiny part before it suddenly separated from the "Breaking Formation Song" Inner Strength.

The Red Dragon's breath spread out again and reformed into the dragon beast on the tripod.

The little fellow's single claw reached out, looking exhausted, panting heavily with its claw pressing on the body of the bronze tripod.

In Li Guanyi's eyes, there was a distinctly smug expression on the youthful dragon's body,

yet angry at still being bound by the bronze tripod.

He turned back, using its little claw to scratch the bronze tripod noisily.

Finally gritting its teeth as if it intended to bite down purely on instinct.

Howl!!!

Li Guanyi lightly flicked it away.

The bronze tripod on top of his heart.

This must not be bitten.

The Red Dragon Dharma Form transformed back into a cloud of energy, returning to the bronze tripod and forming the patterns on it.

The "Breaking Formation Song" Inner Strength inside Li Guanyi then flowed like a fierce torrent within his body, reaching the position of his heart in an instant. This cold and severe poison still tried to affect his Inner Strength, but this time it was unsuccessful.

The searing Inner Qi flowed past, violently impacting the site of the severe poison at his heart.

Li Guanyi felt a mixture of cold and hot sensations at his heart, the severely cold poison being reduced bit by bit, and this time his Inner Strength did not decrease much in terms of operating speed, flowing normally. The places it passed through—meridians and flesh—were all stimulated and gradually strengthened.

Li Guanyi, due to the alternating pain of cold and hot, had sweat beading on his forehead, yet his lips were parted in a slight smile, joy apparent in his eyes.

"Indeed, this power can suppress the poison at my heart."

"Moreover, it's only relying on the aftermath now; the Red Dragon has not completely integrated into my Inner Qi yet."

"If my guess is right, once the Red Dragon can entirely separate from this bronze tripod, it should be able to directly integrate into my Inner Qi. That way, whether it's cultivating or facing any opponent in the future, I won't be affected by this severe poison."

"This Inner Strength, mixed with the Red Dragon's Energy, is several times more potent than the normal 'Breaking Formation Song' Inner Qi."

"It's just unfortunate that now only the dragon's head can come out."

Li Guanyi was pleased but also a bit regretful.

The severe poison that had troubled him for ten years now finally had a possibility of being cured.

Moreover, it was almost foreseeable—once the Red Dragon could completely emerge from the bronze tripod, his own strength would surely massively increase, and the journey from Chen Country to the Eighteenth State of Jiangnan would also be safe.

The youth's eyes sparkled.

He touched the bronze tripod, his mouth curving into a joyful smile.

It was just unfortunate that Yue Qianfeng was not here, after all, he was the one who understood this Red Dragon Dharma Form best.

Li Guanyi still had many things he wanted to try, still very curious about the Dharma Form. But it seemed the Red Dragon was already exhausted and remained motionless inside the bronze tripod. Li Guanyi simply put this idea aside for now and began tidying up the house.

He neatly folded the new clothing he had bought for his aunt.

He covered the roast goose he bought on his way back with an upside-down bowl to keep the household ants from getting a bite.

After steaming the rice, he casually took out a kitchen knife and used premium pork belly to make braised pork.

Li Guanyi tallied his gains, bought some food, bought a jar of fine wine, and spent fifteen silver to rent a safer small courtyard, which originally would have cost thirty silver for half a year outside, but since it was internally arranged through the Xue Family's connections, he got the cheapest price.

He also bought some miscellaneous items, and had about two silver left.

Looking at the silver, Li Guanyi felt that money came and went quickly, never enough to spend.

Out of the corner of his eye, Li Guanyi spotted ants on a nearby cabinet forming a bridge like monkeys scooping up the moon, attempting to climb towards the bowl containing the roast goose, enticed by the fragrance of the fat.

Li Guanyi raised his eyebrows, took two steps forward, and flicked his wrist to swat at the ants.

Luckily he was now in Jiangnan, otherwise, had he walked towards the mountains to the south, there would be creatures akin to the cockroaches of his past life, but larger and adept at flying, used only by forest dwelling Gu Masters as medicinal ingredients.

Li Guanyi certainly wouldn't use his hands then, but now it wasn't a problem, except when he struck out, the Red Dragon inside the bronze tripod poked its head out again.

The Red Dragon transformed into energy and flowed out of the bronze tripod.

Most of its body was still inside the tripod, and though it mustered all its strength, it only extended from its heart to Li Guanyi's elbow joint before it had to retract, unable to reach the fist.

Still, the Inner Qi of the Breaking Formation Song was coated with another layer of explosion.

The explosive Inner Qi traveled along his arm to his fist; as Li Guanyi's palm swept over the ants, the large-pincered ants were swept up, and the next moment, they emitted a cracking sound and their bodies briefly ignited, releasing wisps of black smoke.

Li Guanyi paused, looking at his own palm.

"Is this…"

Fire Power?!!

The Red Dragon Dharma Form collapsed again.

It lay on the bronze tripod blowing bubbles.

Its whiskers curling.

Li Guanyi murmured, "It hasn't been fully activated yet, but already it can imbue my fists and feet with Fire Power, though it can only kill ants for now; but this is just the beginning. What if this Red Dragon could fully emerge from this tripod... What would it be like?"

Li Guanyi naturally thought of the final move Yue Qianfeng had used before.

A punch burst forth, a long, flaming crimson dragon roaring across the sky.

He instinctively clenched his fist.

The Inner Qi of the Breaking Formation Song circulated like holding a ball of fire.

A heat arose in his heart.

The cultivation system in this world was much stronger and more mysterious than he had anticipated.

Unfortunately, Yue Qianfeng hadn't taught him much, but the Xue Family likely had similar books in their library—those that didn't involve secret transmissions, just general introductions—likely available for borrowing. Li Guanyi suddenly felt more eager about going to the Xue Family for lessons the next day.

He heard footsteps; Aunt Murong Qiushui was back.

Li Guanyi tucked away the White Jade Guanyin Pendant.

Thinking of his aunt's reaction later brought a slight smile to his lips.

Murong Qiushui came in holding some vegetables, smelling the aroma of meat, she asked curiously, "Li Nu'er?"

"Did you make meat dishes today?"

Upon entering, she saw the young man dressed in a blue crossed-collar long robe with a belt around his waist, momentarily stunned by his spirited appearance, which seemed to evoke memories of old acquaintances. Seeing Aunt Murong Qiushui momentarily lose herself filled Li Guanyi with delight.

Then, his mischievous side took over.

He stepped forward, raised his right hand to his chest, and elegantly greeted her with a smile,

"What's wrong? Auntie, do you not recognize me?"

The youth boasted.

This time he had exceeded his aunt's expectations.

Murong Qiushui blinked, pulling her gaze back.

She also tucked away that momentary sadness as if seeing an old friend.

Then she reached out, pinched the young man's cheek, and chuckled playfully,

"It seems, my Li Nu'er, you've finally started living off a woman?"

"The spring light is mild, the pendant tinkles."

"My Li Nu'er."

"How much is it worth?"

Li Guanyi was stunned:

???

No, Aunt, that's not the right reaction.