Volume One: Youths Meet in Humble Times Chapter Forty-Three: The Solution to the Dragon Pearl

The group first escorted Shen Xun and Zhou Ce back to the Shen family. Shen’s parents, having learned their child nearly drowned in the sea, were filled with lingering fear. They asked Li Yu once more about what had happened, and Li Yu recounted what he could. Upon hearing his account, Shen’s parents were deeply grateful, insisting several times that he stay for a meal, and that Shen’s father would take him back to the temple afterward.

Li Yu politely declined, saying he would visit again when Shen Xun recovered. Jiang Dafeng chimed in, “Yes, Old Shen, let the boy go home first. Such a frightening event must have scared him too. He should return and let Master Lin know what happened.”

Shen’s parents agreed after some thought, and stopped insisting, only saying that once Shen Xun was better, they would bring him to the temple to offer thanks.

As Zhou Ce’s family had no adults at home, he remained at the Shen residence to help care for Shen Xun.

Li Yu quietly assessed his own condition and found that his strength had returned somewhat. He preferred to go back by himself, not wanting to trouble Jiang Dafeng further. Unexpectedly, Jiang Dafeng said, “Are you embarrassed to let Uncle Jiang escort you just because I’m a rough old man? Why so shy about me taking you home?”

Li Yu shook his head and explained, “Not at all, Uncle Jiang. I just don’t want to take up your time, and I feel strong enough to go back on my own.”

Jiang Dafeng retorted, “With your skinny arms and legs, if anything happens on the way, your master will have my hide!”

Seeing he could not persuade Jiang Dafeng, Li Yu had no choice but to let Jiang Dafeng carry him back to the temple. Along the way, they passed a vendor selling osmanthus candy, and Jiang Dafeng bought two pieces for Li Yu.

Holding the osmanthus candy in his hand, Li Yu felt his heart softening. The barriers and defenses he had built around himself over the years were quietly dissolving without his notice.

Such days were exactly what he yearned for.

He had never asked for much—just a warm embrace and a caring concern. Sadly, heaven had once granted him this, only to take it away. Now that he had it again, he wondered if he could keep it forever.

Such is human nature: if you have never possessed something, you do not fear losing it; once you have it, the fear of loss begins. The span from beginning to end, all the measuring and weighing, is in the hands of fate, in the hands of heaven.

The distance from the Shen family to the temple was not far, and Jiang Dafeng walked swiftly. Before long, they saw the temple gates. Jiang Dafeng pushed them open and strode in, calling loudly, “Master, Master, are you home? Your little disciple fell into the sea, come quickly and check on him.”

The Daoist emerged from the kitchen nearby, carrying a bowl of ginger soup. “Shouting like that, I’m not dead yet. What’s the need for all the fuss?”

Li Yu slipped out of Jiang Dafeng’s embrace and looked at his master. “Master, I’m fine. It was Shen Xun who fell into the sea. I’m all right!”

The Daoist crouched and handed the ginger soup to Li Yu with a smile. “I know you’re tough, but drink this first to ward off the chill.”

Li Yu cradled the ginger soup in his hands, understanding everything he needed to. He drank it in slow sips; though he still had questions, this was not the time for them.

Jiang Dafeng, seeing that the Daoist did not scold Li Yu for his trip to the seaside, felt relieved for Li Yu and said, “Then, Master, I’ll head back now.”

The Daoist replied with a laughing curse, “Go on, unless you want to stay for a meal. I don’t have enough food to fill your belly!”

Jiang Dafeng took no offense. Hearing his master speak thus, Li Yu quickly said, “Goodbye, Uncle Jiang. When I’m better, I’ll go with Shen Xun to your house and thank you properly.”

As soon as he finished, Jiang Dafeng rubbed Li Yu’s head and said, “No need for thanks, you poor thing. Take care of yourself, Uncle’s leaving now.”

After seeing Jiang Dafeng off, Li Yu and his master went straight to the inner hall, the Daoist’s quiet chamber.

The Daoist asked, “Anything you want to ask?”

Li Yu took out the shell he carried in his robe. “Master, do you know an old man who wears a bamboo hat and raincoat and carries a fishing rod and basket?”

The Daoist seemed surprised that this was Li Yu’s first question, but quickly regained his composure. He glanced at the shell in Li Yu’s hand. “I didn’t expect you to ask about him.”

Before Li Yu could speak, the Daoist continued, “I do know him. We’re old acquaintances, though our paths diverged and we rarely meet anymore.”

He gestured for Li Yu to open the shell. Li Yu obeyed, and dazzling light spilled from within. When the glow settled, he saw a brilliant pearl inside. Before he could take it out, he felt the dragon pearl within him grow restless, excited and eager.

Li Yu took the pearl and placed it in his palm, feeling its ardent pull grow stronger.

“Master, what is this?” Li Yu asked.

The Daoist explained, “That is a Glazed Pearl, a rare treasure from the depths of the sea.” He added, “It’s also one of the ways to cultivate a dragon pearl.”

Li Yu thought for a moment. “So that old man knows about my transformation and that I possess the dragon pearl?”

The Daoist neither confirmed nor denied. “What else? Did you think he just happened to be there by chance?”

Li Yu asked, “Master, can I accept this gift?”

The Daoist smiled, “Why not? Though our beliefs differ, you’re the junior. Accepting a meeting gift is perfectly fine.”

Li Yu did not pursue the matter further. Since his master said he could take it, he did so decisively. As for any consequences, he trusted his master would know and be prepared.

He asked, “Master, how do I cultivate a dragon pearl?”

The Daoist did not answer directly, instead remarking, “I never thought he would teach you the Dragon Divine Art.”

Li Yu looked at the Daoist, puzzled. The Daoist continued, “Though I pressured him to form a contract with you and act as your guardian spirit beast, dragons are inherently proud creatures. They may become spirit beasts for others, but for them to willingly teach the Dragon Divine Art is like giving away their heart’s blood.”

Li Yu was astonished. “Is the Dragon Divine Art so important to him?”

The Daoist nodded. “Yes, it is a secret art never shared outside their clan. There are many ways for humans to turn into dragons, but most are illusions or shapeshifting techniques. The Dragon Divine Art, however, allows the practitioner to become a true dragon, a member of the dragon clan, while retaining their human identity. To outsiders, they are indistinguishable from true dragons. Such a miraculous art is now only recorded in the Imperial Palace and the Li family of Mount Heaven.”

He looked at Li Yu. “It seems he trusts and relies on you a great deal. That is a good thing.”

“You wanted to know how to cultivate a dragon pearl? He could do it himself, but with your help, the process will be much faster. It will also make your use of the Dragon Divine Art more fluent. This pearl is one method. The Glazed Pearl is the essence of deep-sea water, pure and resonant with the power in your Heavenly Water Pearl. Let your Heavenly Water Pearl absorb it, and with the dragon spirit practicing their clan’s dragon pearl method inside, their progress will quicken. Alternatively, you can refine it by absorbing moonlight, though that requires enduring the bone-chilling pain of pure moonlight upon your body.”

Li Yu didn’t hesitate. If his master could speak of it, it meant the process was difficult but not life-threatening. He had promised the dragon spirit to help him cultivate the dragon pearl, so he asked the Daoist to teach him.

The Daoist obliged, pressing a finger to Li Yu’s brow and transmitting a set of cultivation methods into his mind.

Afterward, Li Yu rose to take his leave, intending to prepare supper. The Daoist called him back, asking, “Don’t you want to know why I didn’t intervene to save you? Aren’t you angry that I knew of your peril and did nothing?”

Li Yu turned and smiled. “Actually, I dared to risk myself because I thought Master would rescue me. Though you didn’t step in, the dragon spirit you helped me tame did save me. This shows that whenever I’m in danger, even if Master does not act, the dragon spirit won’t let me die.”

The Daoist asked, “Don’t you mind that I did nothing for the others?”

Li Yu replied, “Though you never said, I feel you know me better than I know myself. I could never stand by and watch Shen Xun and the others suffer. I risked everything against the demon before; how could I not try to save people now? Didn’t you let me handle it because of this?”

The Daoist’s smile reached his eyes. “You are wise. I can only teach you my insights into cultivation now.”

Li Yu couldn’t fully grasp this, and wanted to ask more, but the Daoist swiftly changed the topic. “You should know, this was no accident. Someone was manipulating events from the shadows. Be careful from now on. I must remind you: as your master, I bring you both benefits and dangers. Wherever you are, whatever happens, you must know how to protect yourself, understand?”

He thought of something else and added, “Now that you know the Dragon Divine Art, you can protect yourself in times of peril. It also obscures your identity.”

Li Yu considered this. “You mean, let others think I am a dragon?”

The Daoist nodded. “Yes. Now that you know the Dragon Divine Art, you carry a faint dragon aura. Anyone probing you will only sense that you are a dragon. This is entirely to your advantage.”

Li Yu suddenly understood. “So you mean to let things stand as they are, and let others believe I am a dragon?”

The Daoist laughed. “You get it. As for why, I’ll tell you when you’re older. For now, focus on your studies and living well. Seek the truth in books and the path of life. For everything else, you have your master. Understood?”

Li Yu nodded. “I understand.” Since his master had spoken, Li Yu knew there was nothing more to ask, and took his leave.

Returning to his room, Li Yu took out the dragon pearl and communicated with the dragon spirit inside. “Don’t worry, I know how to help you cultivate now. We’ll practice together from now on.”

The dragon spirit’s consciousness resonated with his, and spoke directly, “Good. I trust you.”

Then, Li Yu began cultivating with the dragon pearl and the Glazed Pearl. The entire room shimmered with rainbow light, lingering for a long time.