Build a movie plot around this: On his way, Whom does cord encounter? A man in a large cauldron of oil.
The movie begins with a martial arts tournament, in which fighters are competing for the right to begin a quest to challenge Zetan (Christopher Lee), a famous wizard who possesses a special book of enlightenment that is supposed to contain all the world's wisdom. Arrogant brawler Cord (Jeff Cooper) defeats every opponent, but is disqualified for fighting dishonorably. Cord decides to follow the eventual winner Morthond (Anthony de Longis), hoping that he can lead him to Zetan.While the two fighters are resting, a blind flutist (David Carradine) walks by them and into a nearby building. Cord follows the blind man and sees him easily dispatch a gang of thugs who attacked him. Impressed by his fighting skills, Cord asks the blind man to be his teacher. The blind man refuses; Cord follows him anyway, but gets frustrated with the way the blind man teaches his lessons in riddles and they soon part ways.Cord finds Morthond wounded from the first trial. Morthond asks Cord to help him end his suffering and pursue his quest to find Zetan. Cord does, and faces a tribe of monkey men whose leader (David Carradine) is a great fighter. Cord challenges and eventually overcomes the Monkeyman, who then tells him how to find his second trial.On the way, Cord encounters a man in a large cauldron of oil (Eli Wallach), who is attempting to dissolve the lower half of his body. The man is hoping to end his sexual urges to find enlightenment, and invites Cord to join him, but Cord immediately leaves.On his journey, Cord has a vision of Death (Carradine), but dispels the spirit by demonstrating his lack of fear.Cord then comes upon a band of travellers holding a festival. Cord meets with their leader, Chang-Sha (Carradine), who offers to let Cord sleep with one of his wives, Tara (Erica Creer). Cord declines due to his vow of celibacy and instead challenges Chang-Sha to combat. The contest is set for the following day; during the night, Cord is joined in his tent by Tara. They make love, and Cord asks Tara to stay with him...