Guidance

"Lad, enough of this matter. I am your teacher, so ask me any doubts you have." The old beggar told Red.

Red looked at him with weird eye, but then asked anyway. "I am currently condensing my qi, so it would be nice if you could guide me in this aspect."

The old beggar looked at Red as if he were looking at an alien. "Asura arts condense qi too?" Hearing this Red was shocked, but maintained a blank look. "What Asura art?"

The old beggar looked at Red with sadness. "Kid, you are still centuries away from reaching the level of being able to swindle me. The kind of burst power you display at only the first cultivation realm is typical of Asuras and that too only the royalty. No human cultivation technique would emphasize such a berserk qi for it will just cause them to explode." He looked at Red, while Red still acted dumb, as if he didn't know what the old beggar was saying. The old beggar sighed. "Your body sure is special. You are human, yes, yet your aura is nothing like a human's. It is a good idea to keep the fact that you practice an Asura art a secret, I suggest cultivating a second human cultivation art to mask the berserk aura you give out, or any human expert at my level would not hesitate to kill you. Your body can handle practicing multiple arts." Saying that he tapped Red's forehead and shoulders three times. "I've sealed your berserk aura till you reach core formation, this way others won't realize it."

Red realized that the old beggar had done him a favour. "Thank you, teacher." Red said with respect for the first time.

The old beggar nodded. "About qi cultivation, the crucial thing you must remember is to maximize the quantity of gas as much as possible before you liquify it. Use the pressure to expand your qi reserve, instead of using the resistance of your reserve space to liquify the qi. You've already converted 90 percent of the gas to qi, you should try to increase the gass percentage again by absorbing more of it. I'd suggest a ratio as a goal, but I don't want to limit you."

When Red heard that, he was enlightened. This old beggar was frivolous, but his guidance was really practical and useful.

The old beggar waited patiently. "Anything else?" Red thought for a bit before he asked. "I am looking for a way to absorb a special type of flame. How do I do that?"

The old man was curious. "What type of flame is it?" Red thought for a bit before trusting this old beggar. "It isn't an ordinary flame."

The old man thought for a bit. "Ordinary flames can be tempered into the body, but if the flame is strong that would become impossible. The best way would be to forge your body in flames and form a fire physique."

"Fire physique?'

"Yes, there is a place where you will be able to forge a physique. Well actually it is part of an inheritance heritage, a very old but famous one. But it will be difficult for you, or rather even impossible as you are now."

"Stop speaking in circles old man." Red got irritated.

The old beggar laughed. "You must have heard of the flame spirit race, yes?" Red nodded. "Good. The flame spirit race has a planet called Smolder, where they have an ancient relic. This relic was left by a very powerful ancient ancestor of their race as an inheritance trial. Those who complete the trial will end up forging the fire physique.

But there are two issues, no human has cleared the trial, and flame spirits are highly hostile to humans. The trial is also for creatures that have fire affinity, and you, kid, have no fire affinity at all."

"Then what should I do?" Red asked.

"Take this. It is a cultivation art I've acquired during my travels. It is meant for people who wish to become alchemists. They can increase their fire affinity by cultivating this and it is very easy amd quick to cultivate as well. Well, you'll know the problems when you read it." The old beggar sighed as if he had many experiences with this art.

Red took a quick look at the scroll then asked. "This Heart of Fire art needs fire essence to cultivate? Fire essence is extremely rare though."

The old beggar smiled sadly. "This art has 10 levels, each level can increase your affinity with a higher level of flame. This old man was once a rich man... then he began practicing this art." Tears welled up in the old beggar's eyes.

"Rich your mom! How is this beggar so unreliable." Red cried to himself. He asked for a solution to his problem and the only way is to become a beggar like this old fart? Reluctantly, he accepted the Heart of Fire cultivation art.

The old beggar smiled coldly in his heart. "I can use this excuse to make him for free. Once he becomes indebted to me, haha, I won't have to work ever again. Aah, having a disciple is so comfortable."

He spoke to Red again. "I came to you for another matter as well. Since you will need flame essences as well, it is a good opportunity for you."

Red immediately felt a bait somewhere and became sceptical. "What are you talking about? I ain't doing any more of your stupid tests."

The old beggar shook his head as if he knew the excuse of testing had already run out. "It is an opportunity for you. Whether you go or not is up to you. The battle of the God and Godslayer caused major changes on this planet and a hidden remain was discovered. However, only those below Core formation can enter the remain. It is possible to find resources and treasure there."

Red was interested. "Sounds good! How do I enter?"

The old beggar was smiling evilly inside. "Take this paper talisman to this location tomorrow at 10. They are planning to break the barrier, you just need to tear the talisman when you near the relic and you'll be inside. Oh, and wear a mask."

"A mask?" Red asked.

"Yeah, you are bound to make powerful enemies competing in relics, so hide your face and use some fake name. I used to do that a lot in my youth." The old beggar began reminiscing fondly.