The red dragon's head was small and delicate, formless and intangible, yet very clear in Li Guanyi's eyes.

It seemed to be enraged by the earlier manifestation of the White Tiger.

The red dragon reacted violently, like a small kitten that had not yet been weaned but was very temperamental, opening its mouth and letting out a series of childish cries towards Li Guanyi.

This is...

Li Guanyi's palm gently touched it, and the red dragon only detached its head and part of its neck from the bronze cauldron, while the rest remained imprinted on the walls of the cauldron. It was instinctively angry, and one of its outstretched claws, still transparent, grasped Li Guanyi's index finger.

Li Guanyi lightly stroked it, feeling as if this red dragon could seep into his body.

The internal qi from the "Breaking Formation Melody" seemed to have a faint sense of acceleration.

The speed of circulating qi, which had been suppressed and weakened by the venom, actually improved a bit.

A trace of surprise and joy flashed in Li Guanyi's eyes.

Could it be that this red dragon, clearly obtained from Yue Qianfeng, could resolve the suppression of the venom on the circulation of internal qi?

The coachman noticed Li Guanyi's sudden stillness and stopped, turning back with a puzzled expression.

"What's wrong, Young Master Li?"

Li Guanyi knew it was not the right time to attempt anything immediately. He maintained his composure, shifted his gaze, and replied, "I just feel that entering the realm is still a long way off."

While sighing, he continued to poke at the red dragon's delicate claw with his finger.

I poke!

Eh? This little claw is gripping quite firmly, but can such a red dragon, akin to the White Tiger, actually be physically touched? Or is it that it can gather and disperse at will?

What kind of realm do Yue Qianfeng and the old head of the Xue family possess?

The coachman chuckled in realization, "Are you thinking about such distant matters?"

"Martial arts cultivation is a gradual process. Young Master, you are only thirteen years old, so young, yet you already possess such martial skills. Entering the realm is certainly not a hindrance for you. Come, come, let's first recognize the way. That large courtyard over there is the training ground, with stone locks and heavy sabers. Young Master can practice there during your leisure time."

"This is the dining hall, where meals are always prepared."

"This is the pharmacy, stocked with various medicinal herbs. The Xue family can purchase them at cost price, but of course, they cannot be sold to outsiders. If discovered, severe penalties will follow."

"This is the management office."

"This is the tailor shop."

The Xue family's estate was vast. Li Guanyi was led around for quite a while, familiarizing himself with various places. He was then taken to the tailor shop, where he changed into a new outfit. The coachman waited outside and pulled out a neatly folded square handkerchief from his pocket, revealing a handful of salt-baked peanuts.

Peanuts were not cheap, and salt-baking was a luxurious method.

But the taste lingered long after.

The coachman picked one up, tossed it into his mouth, and savored it for a long time.

While waiting and eating, the sound of a woman's surprised exclamation suddenly came from inside, followed by continuous teasing laughter. The burly coachman did not understand why, when they came to the tailor shop for clothes, the seamstresses had never been this cheerful before.

Although their attitude was not bad, it was merely normal interaction.

Another burst of laughter echoed.

The coachman looked up at the tailor shop's sign, then lowered his head and muttered, "It's not like a toilet exploded inside. Why are they so startled?" Just then, a wave of laughter erupted, and he looked up to see the tailor shop's door open, with several women laughing as they walked out. The coachman looked up, and his eyes brightened.

The young man had changed his clothes.

Previously, he had worn a brown outfit that had been worn for a long time, the fabric washed to a pale hue, with frayed edges. His shoes were the kind with layered soles, and his hair was simply tied back, clearly indicating a humble background. However, he had a good demeanor, and his bright eyes made people feel fond of him.

Now, the young man who walked out wore dark boots and a neatly arranged blue robe with a diagonal collar.

The collar and cuffs were trimmed with a layer of white.

A leather belt was fastened around his waist, commonly used by martial artists, tightening around the waist and exuding a heroic aura.

His black hair was neatly tied, and his features were handsome. Although he could not be said to be dazzling, he could certainly be described as striking.

Aside from the main family, there were few in the Xue family with such charming looks.

The women in the tailor shop praised him endlessly, suddenly clapping and laughing, taking a piece of ordinary jade pendant and having the young man tie it on, then clapping and laughing, "Indeed, this fake jade worth less than a silver tael looks like a treasure worth a hundred taels on Young Master."

"This jade is a gift for Young Master. After all, it's not a valuable item."

The coachman was stunned, watching the seamstresses smiling as they sent the young man out, who now looked so different from before. The coachman stared at him as if he were a monster, examining him from head to toe, unable to hold back, he said:

"They've never given anything to anyone before. Young Master Li, do you have some kind of magic?"

Li Guanyi thought for a moment and replied, "I didn't do anything."

The coachman was puzzled.

Li Guanyi continued, "I just called them 'sister' a few times."

The coachman: "…………"

For some reason, the salt-baked peanuts that had just been in his mouth suddenly lost their flavor.

Li Guanyi then went to the management office and signed a contract.

"Monthly salary of thirty guan, plus fifty jin of rice and flour, and twenty jin of meat each month."

"Two sets of clothing."

"Three meals a day, which can be taken here if desired."

"Additionally, come here daily to teach the young lady and young master mathematics for one hour."

Working one hour a day would earn him one guan.

Li Guanyi marveled at this leisurely job, recalling what the coachman Zhao Dabing had said about being able to buy things at cost price from the Xue family’s trading company. He thought for a moment and directly bought many items here, then found a better house from the landlord renting in the Xue family.

The silver in his hand quickly spent more than half, yet he felt an indescribable sense of satisfaction.

It felt as if life was gradually improving.

Finally, Li Guanyi pointed in one direction and said:

"Please pack up a jar of this wine for me as well."

……………………

Meanwhile, a thousand miles away from Guan Yi City, on the desolate plains.

The roaring sound of the azure dragon's long howl shook the surroundings, as more than ten men clad in black armor, armed to the teeth, were sent flying like rags, crashing to the ground. Four steeds had their knees shattered, kneeling on the ground, blood flowing from their seven orifices, their skin intact, but their internal organs had turned to mush.

Inside the carriage, an elderly man with white hair and beard closed his eyes while playing the zither, the sound melodious.

A rough voice rang out, "Facing pursuit, still maintaining composure, demeanor as usual."

"Master Zhu, truly worthy of being a renowned scholar of the world. Old Yue admires you!"

The old man's zither music gradually ceased, and he lifted the curtain of the carriage. A tall man in black armor was being held down by a large hand, struggling desperately, but his immense true qi had no effect at all. As his vision spread, the owner of that large hand had disheveled hair, resembling a silent fierce tiger.

The burly man suddenly raised his right hand.

This assassin, ranked within the top hundred in the world, was thrown into the sky.

With a flick of his hand, the red dragon roared, turning him into powder. The burly man clasped his fists and slightly bowed to the old man, his voice rough yet filled with respect, "General Yue's Fourth-Rank Zhenwei General, Commander of the Left Army, Chief Commander of the Chen Kingdom's Fourth Martial Division, Yue Qianfeng."

"Greetings, Master Zhu."

This old man was a renowned scholar, adept in the method of breaking the circular path, skilled in astronomy and geography, a senior in the Daoist sect, yet he had not cultivated martial arts. Now, to save Marshal Yue, he wished to go to the capital, but he had been surrounded by top assassins. If it weren't for Yue Qianfeng's sudden appearance, he might have died beneath this precipice.

After thanking the old man, Yue Qianfeng curiously asked, "General Yue, how did you know I was here?"

While helping the old man out, Yue Qianfeng replied, "It was a coincidence. I was waiting for you in Guan Yi City as promised, but was discovered by the Night Rider Cavalry. According to my usual temperament, I would have killed them all, but because I needed to train a young lad, I left a few spies alive. It was only then that I learned you were being hunted."

"So I came to rescue you, and fortunately arrived in time."

After a pause, Yue Qianfeng spoke softly, "Master Zhu, this journey is dangerous. Do you still wish to go to the capital?"

Master Zhu nodded, "The more they fear my arrival, the more I must go."

"However, before entering the capital, I need to make a trip to Guan Yi City."

"This matter concerning Marshal Yue will affect the situation of the world. The Northern Dynasty, the lands beyond Guan Yi, and the Turks are all involved. This matter will either lead to great success or great failure, with no other possibilities. I must consider the affairs behind me."

"In my youth, I once had a good relationship with Guan Yi City. This time, I released a somewhat interesting riddle, and the private schools in Guan Yi City should have heard about it."

"If anyone can solve it, they can come to answer a few of my subsequent questions."

"I will select a talented individual as my disciple."

"I may die."

"But this Dao title, the legacy, and the talismans of the Daoist sect's twenty-four sacrificial wines must find a successor."

"Guan Yi City..."

Yue Qianfeng suddenly thought of that young lad he had parted with not long ago.

I wonder if he has entered the first level yet?

With a hearty laugh, he clasped his hands and said, "Good."

"I, Yue, will escort Master Zhu back."

"By the way, I’ll check on that little brat. I wonder what he is up to?"

………………

Li Guanyi had no idea that Yue Qianfeng had mentioned him. He returned home with light steps. His aunt was out for a walk, buying some vegetables and fruits, leaving the house empty. Li Guanyi returned to his small, shabby bed, sitting cross-legged and pressing against the bronze cauldron.

The bronze cauldron trembled, and the young man's eyes sparkled with curiosity.

"Alright, let me see what exactly you are."

(End of this chapter)