Murong Longtu’s expression paused slightly.
Li Guanyi removed his hand.
An object lay in the palm of Murong Longtu.
Rounded and emanating a golden-red luster, it radiated a powerful aura of vitality. Within it, one could faintly hear the sound of a dragon’s roar. Li Guanyi looked at the elder before him and smiled, "Grandpa, do you stone bead?"
Figures like Gongyang Su Wang and Siming could see what path Sword Madman had taken, not seeking immortality, but only a grand present, stepping into the legend through Sword Dao, rather than through transformations for longevity.
However, this Undying Dragon Essence was the foundation upon which Zhang Ziyong built his cultivation body.
Even if it was not possible to reach Zhang Ziyong’s state, who lived for three hundred years yet still youthful, with this Dragon Essence, Murong Longtu’s lifespan was certain to be extended somewhat, with vitality circulating through him.
Murong Longtu did not refuse Li Guanyi’s kindness on the spot but simply smiled and said,
"Indeed, it’s a fine stone."
He reached out his hand, holding the piece of Dragon Essence. He and Li Guanyi sat together under a tree, looking at the river not far away. Holding the Undying Dragon Essence before him in the sunlight, it looked even more crystal clear, like a gemstone.
Murong Longtu smiled approvingly and said,
"This thing is truly fine, both well-rounded and good-looking."
Murong Longtu opened his hand and tossed the Dragon Essence up.
Suddenly shaking his hand, the Dragon Essence was thrown out like a stone, landing on the water’s surface, creating ripples as it beautifully skipped across, at least a hundred sprays of water.
That perfect object that forged Martial Arts Legends fell into the water.
Li Guanyi said, "Grandpa..."
Murong Longtu laughed heartily and said, "When I was young, I never managed to find such a good stone for skipping on water."
He reached out his hand, pulling back towards himself, and the Dragon Essence reappeared in his hand. Murong Longtu tossed the Dragon Essence, placing the precious object back into Li Guanyi’s hands, and said, "Here, give it a try."
"It is a good object, but for me, it is no different from a stone."
The old man smiled and said, "A swordsman’s way does not rely on external objects."
"To me, this treasure is no different from decayed wood and rotten stone by the roadside."
"I’ve already reached the end of my path, I no longer need this object."
"I don’t intend to look back, nor do I have any regrets."
Murong Longtu said this with a calm and tranquil expression.
"But you must not follow my path, for you, for everyone in the world, it is just a dead end."
Then he seemed to recall something and said, "However, speaking of which, since you have the Dragon Essence and have once drawn the Chi Xiao Sword, you can seek out the Ancient Red Dragon and strike an Alliance, asking It to do one thing for you."
"There is still some time before we reach Central State, let’s talk to Shi Wu and the others, take a two-day detour to see the Red Dragon, and then come back to join them to Central State."
Thus, they explained to the caravan that they were just going to visit an old friend nearby, which wasn’t far. Shi Wu and the others had no suspicions and simply smiled, saying, "After all, we have some business to do around here, too."
"Old man, you all go ahead, we’ll wait here for you for two days."
"But two days later, we need to continue towards Central State."
Murong Longtu laughed heartily, "Good, it’s not far, and we will be back in a little over a day."
Shi Wu said cheerfully, "That’s great."
"Considering the distance, old grandpa and that old friend must have not seen each other for quite some time."
"Since we’re passing by today, you should definitely pay a visit."
However, Shi Yisong seemed a bit embarrassed. After hemming and hawing for a while, during the meal, he put an extra couple of spoonfuls of sauce on Li Guanyi’s pancake and selected tender white parts of the scallions to give, keeping the rough and pungent parts for his own big pancake.
The old scallions were quite spicy; eating them felt like getting punched right in the nose.
The young fellow’s face streamed with tears from the spice.
Yet he stubbornly insisted it wasn’t spicy, not spicy at all!
He didn’t even know what spicy meant!
Li Guanyi could tell what the young fellow wanted and teased, "You’re being so attentive today. What’s the matter, do you have something to ask of me?"
Shi Yisong snorted and giggled for a long while before reluctantly clutching the corner of his clothes and shyly said, "Well, we don’t have any swords for sale here. If you go to a place with bigger shops, could you buy me a wooden sword?"
He pulled out a tiny pouch, emphasizing seriously, "I’ll give you money!"
Inside was the Copper Coin he had saved up little by little from doing odd jobs, gathering twigs along the road to sell as firewood, and running errands. It was weighty, and he placed the pouch, containing the dreams of his youth and many years of joyful toil, very earnestly into Li Guanyi’s hand, entrusting him with it:
"Make sure you buy one for me."
Li Guanyi teased him, "Aren’t you afraid I might take off with the money?"
Shi Yisong was stunned, then the cheeky kid looked up and snorted:
"A swordsman would never forsake a promise!"
"A promise is worth a thousand in gold!"
He looked carefully at Li Guanyi and the worn-out pouch and added:
Li Guanyi burst into hearty laughter, "Rest assured!"
He ruffled the youngster’s hair, gently saying,
"I’ll get you a fine wooden sword!"
Murong Longtu and Li Guanyi, together with Shaking Light Qilin, briefly left the caravan. The old swordsman, along with two younger generations, using the speed of Martial Arts Legends, reached Chen Baxian’s secret realm. The secret realm was opened, and Murong Longtu, Li Guanyi, and Shaking Light entered.