The professors had not forgotten the potential danger lurking within Owen. In fact, the more outstanding he became, the more anxious they grew—especially Dumbledore and Snape. They had been searching for a method that would not harm Owen but could contain his explosive magical growth. After searching high and low, they concluded that there was only one place left to try.
When the red Hogwarts Express chugged away, belching black smoke once again, another school year had passed. Owen returned to his room, intending to pack and start his annual "Comfort the Elderly Tour." But this time, Dumbledore stopped him, saying they were going to visit an old friend.
Another new old friend?
Owen didn't think much of it. Even with Professor Snape tagging along, he figured it was just another reclusive wizard hiding in plain sight.
However, after boarding a plane and flying for over ten hours, he landed to find himself surrounded by people with black hair, dark eyes, and yellow skin. Only then did he realize where he was.
Dragon Tiger Mountain (Longhu Shan)!
Owen bought three tickets and followed the two professors up the mountain. Along the way, he saw quite a few young people who looked different from the average tourist. They were equally curious about Owen's group—three foreigners in distinct, unusual robes...
"Headmaster, I didn't expect your old friend to be the Celestial Master of the East?"
Halfway up, Dumbledore explained who they were meeting. It was completely unexpected for Owen. He just didn't quite understand why they had come here. Just to see an old friend?
That didn't seem like Dumbledore's style...
Wizards live longer thanks to magic; that's common knowledge. Perhaps because of this longevity, wizards tend to have somewhat detached personalities. Aside from close family, they usually maintain friendships through letters and rarely meet unless necessary.
They hiked up the mountain, passed through the front area, and reached the back mountain. The environment here was more primitive but also more serene. Without needing a guide, the three arrived at a small wooden hut. It wasn't large, but there were quite a few people inside. Sitting in the seats of honor were two old men. One, wearing Daoist robes, must be the Celestial Master.
Dumbledore and Snape sat down, but Owen was left standing in the middle. Just as he was about to greet them, the Celestial Master moved. With a casual step, he crossed the distance instantly, appearing right in front of Owen. His index finger, glowing with specks of golden light, tapped toward Owen's forehead.
That speed... was too fast. Impossible to dodge.
What frustrated Owen more was the old Daoist's utter unreasonableness. That single finger instantly pierced through the Shield Charm Owen always maintained. It punched through thirteen layers in one go. Although the final layer held, the golden light from the fingertip still landed on his forehead and sank in...
Looking at the young wizard standing there with his eyes closed, the old Celestial Master was surprised. "This little guy you brought... is interesting."
Here, aside from Snape, everyone was an outsider unrelated to the British wizarding world, so Dumbledore had nothing to hide. He nodded. "Indeed. He is the one I found—the future Headmaster."
Others might not understand the gravity—it was just a headmaster position, why so serious? But the old Celestial Master knew that the position of "Headmaster" wasn't much different from his own position as Celestial Master. The terminology and management structure differed, but both were leaders of a major faction.
If that faction was Hogwarts, it represented half the wizarding world.
"If he can wake up within the time it takes for a stick of incense to burn, the old Daoist might consider teaching him the Golden Light Mantra."
Before the Celestial Master finished speaking—before the incense was even lit—Owen opened his eyes. He exhaled a long breath and looked at the old Daoist with a wary gaze. "Mr. Celestial Master, that was rather impolite."
Dumbledore laughed and looked at his old friend. "Well? How is my future Headmaster?"
The old Celestial Master laughed too, looking at the young wizard with a gentle gaze. "Indeed, a good child. Very well, for the sake of our friendship, I'll give it to him."
As soon as the old Daoist finished speaking, golden light erupted beneath his feet. He leaped up, aiming a strike straight at Owen's heart. Startled, Owen used Apparition to dodge just before impact. But he failed to notice a tall, dark shadow appearing behind him. Before he realized something was wrong, a pair of hands landed on his shoulders, instantly immobilizing him. He could only watch as the golden streak pierced through his Shield Charm and into his heart.
Everything went black. He knew nothing more.
Dumbledore raised a hand, levitating the unconscious boy in mid-air. He asked seriously, "Old friend, are you sure there are no issues with this method?"
The Celestial Master laughed heartily. "Rest assured. His condition is a good thing. Think of it like a pool: the water keeps increasing, but the pool stays the same size. If you expand the pool, then no matter how much water there is, there's nothing to fear. Drink your tea, old friend."
---
When Owen woke up, he was already back at Hogwarts. The trip to the East had ended just like that?
Thinking back, Owen realized he still had a long way to go. To have all his Shield Charms pierced by a single finger, and to be pinned down by hands as heavy as mountains... recalling it now, he actually felt a bit disheartened.
It's fine. There's still time...
The original plan to visit the elderly was scrapped, so Owen stayed in the castle. Every day, he intensified his physical training. Most of his time, however, was spent practicing the Golden Light Mantra.
The Celestial Master hadn't taught him using text but through a direct transmission of knowledge—an enlightenment technique. This meant Owen couldn't teach the Golden Light Mantra to anyone else even if he wanted to; he could only cultivate it himself.
Older people tend to overthink things. Was there really a need to guard against him like that? It made him feel like he couldn't keep a secret.
Of course, this version of the Golden Light Mantra had been modified. For one, Owen couldn't cultivate the external golden light manifestation. It could only be used to enhance his life force and physical constitution, strengthening every part of his body, inside and out.
A wizard needs a strong body too.
This version of the Golden Light Mantra was perfect. At least it wouldn't cause accidents when he used the Disillusionment Charm. Otherwise, a glowing golden ring... any idiot would know to throw a rock there to see what it hit.
A quiet environment always makes it easier to enter a state of cultivation. Just as Owen thought he would stay like this until school started, Professor McGonagall rushed into the Chamber of Secrets and found him.
"Owen, go to the Headmaster's office quickly. Use the Floo Powder to get to the Ministry of Magic."
Owen paused. "Has something happened?"
"Yes. A prisoner has escaped from Azkaban. The Ministry has asked Dumbledore to go take a look, and Dumbledore asked me to notify you to go with him."