Li Xi had come and could not turn back. Just as he was about to step inside, he noticed a six-pointed star array light up beneath his feet. Before Li Xi could even react, he vanished instantly.
In an ordinary reception living room, the old mage Demanga was leisurely brewing tea. On the seat next to him, a six-pointed star array lit up, and Li Xi suddenly appeared on the seat, looking bewildered. The old mage's teacup was just poured and was being handed to Li Xi.
"Young friend, have some tea."
Li Xi looked at the casually dressed old mage before him and couldn't help but swallow. While clothes make the man, sometimes a person in beggar's rags is not necessarily a beggar. In this demiplane, this old fellow was a god. At this moment, Li Xi truly realized that when one's strength reaches a certain level, they become incredibly powerful—strategic level, a walking nuclear bomb.
"Master, I have no way to repay your kindness in giving me medicine before. Today, I've specially brought a gift for Master."
Looking at the tea in front of him, Li Xi, with a disturbed mind, spoke the polite words of his past life. After speaking, he realized he hadn't brought any gift. Before the cold sweat could break out, he quickly rummaged through his spatial ring and immediately found Avril's bento box.
Other items that Li Xi considered precious were no different from dirt in the eyes of this god-like figure. Even the most precious dragon crystal the size of a human head was not worth mentioning. Only by taking an unexpected, unconventional approach could he succeed. Li Xi only hoped that Avril's cooking wasn't too unpalatable.
He took out the bento box and respectfully presented it to Demanga. "To express my respect for Master, this is a breakfast I specially made. Please accept it with a smile."
Demanga was greatly interested. This was the first time anyone had ever given him food. He opened the bento box, and a captivating aroma instantly filled the entire room. Even Li Xi's nervous mood felt a sense of relief.
Demanga's eyes gleamed, and he grinned without restraint, drooling rapidly, almost dripping onto the tabletop. "Good stuff. I didn't expect my young friend to have such skills at such a young age. Then I won't be polite."
With a wave of his hand, a set of cutlery appeared beside him. Then, without any external control, it neatly began to feed the old mage.
Li Xi watched enviously as the old mage ate without lifting a hand. How he wished he had a mage system. This animation of life was truly a must-have household tool for lazy people—a free, twenty-four-hour personal nanny, tireless and without complaint. It would be even better if this esteemed old mage didn't smack his lips while eating.
"Young friend, do not be afraid. I summoned you for no other reason than that your pure dragon blood perfectly matches the requirements of one of my current experiments. I just happened to purify it for you. If my nose doesn't deceive me, your original dragon blood should have been that of a young dragon. Now I have purified it to that of an adult, which can increase your strength by a few percent. With your improved strength, it will be more helpful to my experiments."
So that's how it was. Hearing Demanga's explanation, Li Xi finally understood what was happening to his body. No wonder he felt such a change after drinking the potion. It turned out that the dragon blood absorbed by the Guiluo Ya Technique could still evolve.
Doesn't this mean that if he continues to evolve like this, he might very well evolve into the form of an ancient dragon, a being that could contend with demigods?
"Thank you, Master. I just don't know how you wish me to help?"
Demanga carelessly picked at the bits of food stuck between his teeth. He was reluctant to flick away the dislodged meat and greedily sucked it into his mouth.
"Delicious. I haven't eaten anything this good in so many years."
He closed his eyes and savored it for a long time before answering Li Xi's question. "Actually, it's not that I need you to help me conduct an experiment. More accurately, I need the scent of your dragon blood to help me find a dragon to use as my experimental material."
Li Xi was stunned. Could a Grand Magus be so formidable? Dragons were merely experimental materials.
"To be honest, Master, I also want to find a dragon to raise. I heard dragon dung sells for quite a lot of money, but I just can't find any dragons."
"How much is dragon dung worth? The purification potion you drank is worth half a dragon." Demanga didn't hide his contempt for Li Xi.
"Since I've called you here, I definitely have a way to help you find a dragon. If I acted myself, the commotion would be too great, and this matter wouldn't fall to you. How about it? Do you agree to my request? The previous potion was just a deposit. After the task is done, even better things await you." Sudan Novel Network
Demanga's voice was like a devil's temptation, making Li Xi willing to take the risk. Not to mention the potion that evolved his bloodline, just being able to connect with such a powerful figure was a rare opportunity. "Master's request, I will definitely agree with both hands and feet raised. It's just that my strength is still a bit weak. After I find the dragon, I won't be able to deal with it."
"So, you mean...?" Demanga smiled slightly, thinking that Li Xi's little trick was nothing in front of him.
Li Xi awkwardly rubbed his hands. "Master, your strength is practically unrivaled on the entire continent. If you could just give me two dragon-slaying divine artifacts, I could hunt down a dragon for you. What do you think..."
"Hahaha, what you said makes a lot of sense. However, if I had such things, the people who could hunt dragons for me would form a line all the way to the capital. Why would I need your dragon blood then?"
"However..."
Demanga waved his hand, and two items appeared on the table: a crystal ball the size of a fist and a bottle of dark green potion.
Demanga first held up the crystal ball. "This is a magical beacon. After you successfully hunt a dragon, just infuse it with energy, and I can appear before you in a short time."
Li Xi took the crystal ball. Demanga then picked up the dark green potion. "This is the paralyzing venom of an abyssal spider. Just one drop can temporarily incapacitate even a dragon. It's for you to hunt dragons. With this, you don't need to clash head-on with the dragon. Relying on your dragon-kin identity, you can easily gain the dragon's trust. The rest is simple."
Demanga chuckled, and Li Xi smiled knowingly. They were both masters of deception. Who wouldn't choose a simpler method if one were available? Facing a dragon head-on was undoubtedly like a face-to-face tango with the god of death.
Li Xi carefully took the potion and put it in a box. This was truly a valuable item. Dragons were immune to most poisons in the world, and finding a poison that could paralyze a dragon was difficult. This bottle had at least dozens of drops. This old fellow was giving him ample supply.
After putting away the two items, Li Xi looked at Demanga expectantly.
"Anything else?" Demanga asked with a hint of confusion.
"Master, you haven't told me how to find the dragon yet?"
"Oh, right, I forgot to tell you. You don't need to search for it. There's one deep in the Forest of Forgetfulness. I'll give you the address, and you can go there yourself."
"Since Master already has the address, why don't you go yourself instead of spending such a great price to have me go?" Li Xi curiously raised his question.
Demanga smiled awkwardly, not answering directly but retorting, "Do you know my title?"
Li Xi shook his head. He really didn't know. Due to time constraints, he only knew that Demanga was a Grand Magus. He didn't know anything else.
"My title is Dragon Slayer. Because I've hunted so many dragons over the years, an ancient dragon had to intervene. Under the witness of the God of Contracts, I was made to promise not to attack dragons unless they attacked me first. Therefore, I can only find others to help. However, the abilities of others are uneven. Even if they can defeat a dragon, they might not be able to capture it. There's a significant difference between defeating and capturing. This cannot guarantee the progress of my experiment. A few days ago, I discovered that your strength is not bad, and most importantly, your pure dragon blood can easily gain a dragon's trust. Coincidentally, the dragon in the Forest of Forgetfulness is not yet strong. You should be able to handle it, so this opportunity is yours."
"So, my reason is very simple. Can you accept it?"
Li Xi was again at a loss for words, both amused and frustrated. He had known before coming that this old man was an apex expert, but he didn't expect him to be so powerful. You even provoked his ancestors and still couldn't kill you, forcing him to sign a treaty of submission. Just how many dragons did you kill?
Of course, Li Xi only thought these words in his heart and dared not utter a single one. The kind-looking old man before him was the truly ruthless one. If he offended him with a single misplaced word, he would suffer greatly. It was like an old woman hanging herself, seeking death.
"Master's business is my business. Don't worry, I guarantee I'll cut that dragon into pieces and present it before you." Li Xi transformed into a loyal lackey. He wouldn't dare to think of things like Monk's inheriting someone's legacy. This kind of person who treated dragons like ordinary beasts couldn't be provoked, even if he ate a hundred red chili peppers.
"You don't need to go that far. Although it's hunting, it would be even better if you could capture it alive. After all, it's been too difficult to get a dragon these years. If I can capture it and raise it slowly, it would better meet my experimental requirements." Demanga was somewhat regretful. It was better when he was young; dragons would rush towards him roaring upon seeing him, unlike now, when they would run away with their tails between their legs upon smelling him.
"I'll try my best to capture it alive."
Demanga nodded, snapping out of his fond memories of dragon-catching. "Don't force it. I can use a dead one for a while. I will also post a quest in the Adventurers' Guild looking for dragon teeth. You can accept it before setting off. If any old dragons come looking for me, I'll have an excuse."
Li Xi was impressed. This old fellow was truly going to great lengths to use dragons for his experiments. However, Li Xi liked it this way; he wouldn't have to waste his breath to get the old man to post a quest.
Most importantly, this dragon hunt could truly be successful, and he might be in for a large wave of lucky draws. Many quests in the Adventurers' Guild were related to dragons.
After the matter was settled, Li Xi got up to take his leave. Based on his conjectures, a wave of lucky draws was imminent, and he couldn't sit still any longer.
"Master, if you have no other instructions, I will depart immediately."
"Ah, this..." Demanga suddenly seemed a little shy and embarrassed.
"If you have anything, please command me. It is my honor to serve you."
Li Xi's words were from the bottom of his heart. Being able to connect with such a top-tier expert was priceless. The number of people who wanted to meet this old man would likely fill Kaduo City.
Demanga reached out and handed over the empty bento box. He said awkwardly, "This is the most delicious meal I've had in years. If you can make me more, I'll offer a generous price."
"Cough, cough."
Li Xi coughed uncontrollably. Could Avril really have such charm? Before she even appeared, just her food had captured Demanga, a powerful figure who could manipulate dragons with ease.
Li Xi now just wanted to find a secluded place and slap himself a few times. Why did he inexplicably take out this food? Now, the only thing that could cover up the lie was another lie.
Therefore, Li Xi naturally took the bento box and said, "Master, you jest. It's just simple food. Talking about rewards makes us strangers. It is my honor that you enjoy it. I will bring you more tomorrow morning."