"This fellow won't take oil or salt."
Li Chen understood at once. This man was a seasoned old hand, nowhere near as easy to get along with as Yan Xiang and the others, who still had the disposition of students.
He could only smile. "Even so, fellow Daoist, you are still my senior. If an opportunity arises, I hope you won't begrudge me an introduction."
He Ran said, "Mm, that can be arranged."
As they spoke, Yan Xiang and the others walked in, prompting another round of greetings. Everyone finally saw the unusually warm welcome they gave Li Chen and could not help feeling surprised.
Artisan Zhao arrived a little later. He showed no surprise at the presence of these outsiders; clearly, this was not the first time it had happened. He took his seat at the front and began his lecture.
"Today, we will discuss the method of generating forms from primordial energy."
"Lesson three, section five: the transformations of Spirit-Gathering Forming..."
What he taught was precisely the method by which, after the silk threads were connected, energy channels filled a wooden puppet's body and formed a Spirit Body around its wooden framework.
This application had developed from Draw Silk, Rejoin Meridians. Later, String-Puppet Theater had adopted its essence and carried it forward, making it one of the required subjects.
Li Chen could not keep up at all. He could only force himself to memorize what Artisan Zhao said, hoping to find an opportunity to digest it later.
An hour passed quickly. Artisan Zhao rose and said, "That will be all for today. This afternoon is practical work. The five of you can practice on your own."
He was speaking to Yan Xiang and the other four. As for everyone else, Artisan Zhao had treated them as though they