Chapter 141

Any Qi Condensation disciple can participate in the Four Sects' Law Assembly, including outer disciples—just sign up and you're in.

Although most of each sect's true disciples are Foundation Establishment, a few Qi Condensation true disciples still attend the Four Sects' Law Assembly. The top prizes? Forget about it, you and I as inner disciples won't even get a look—nine out of ten times, they'll go to the true disciples of each sect," Li Tianqi sighed.

"I see. Thank you, Senior Sister, for clarifying. Once I've made a decision, I'll inform you immediately," Wang Yu bowed, sincerely grateful.

Though he'd heard rumors of the Four Sects' Law Assembly before, he'd only known the broad strokes—this detailed information was genuinely helpful.

Li Tianqi was also pleased with Wang Yu's attitude; after a few more casual words, she took her leave.

Wang Yu watched the graceful figure of the blue-robed beauty vanish into the distance, sinking into deep thought.

At that moment, Gu Lian rose from the stone platform, flew through the air, and landed gently.

"Brother Gu, what do you want to discuss with me? Not also about the Four Sects' Law Assembly?" Wang Yu couldn't help asking.

"Of course not. Why, did Sister Li just suggest you form a team for the Law Assembly?" Gu Lian blinked, then chuckled.

"Senior Sister Li did hint at it. So why are you seeking me out?" Wang Yu was genuinely puzzled.

"I go by Gu, but that's my surname only after joining the Sunset Sect. Before that, I was surnamed Sun," Gu Lian smiled at Wang Yu.

"Sun? Wait—you're related to Master Sun?" Wang Yu paused, then realized, astonished.

"Heh, Brother Wang, you're sharp. Master Sun of the Four Symbols Sect is my own elder uncle. He joined the Four Symbols Sect years ago due to certain special circumstances, but we've never lost contact—we still write to each other regularly. He told me about you himself, and he's always been proud of you," Gu Lian said, smiling, revealing a flood of information.

Wang Yu could only smile bitterly.

Such claims were easy to verify—there was no reason to doubt them. Still, he hadn't expected Master Sun to have a former true disciple nephew from the Sunset Sect.

Now he understood why Gu Lian had been so kind—no need to wonder anymore.

"So Brother Gu isn't a stranger. But what did Master Sun say about me, his apprentice?" Wang Yu's tone warmed instantly as he bowed.

"Heaven above, Elder Uncle praised you to the skies—he said your artifice surpasses his own, that your skill outshines his. You're held back only by your cultivation level; once you reach late Qi Condensation, your artifice will immediately eclipse his."

"He also said the hardest part for other artificers—engraving spirit patterns—is nothing to you. With just a little more refinement, you could easily craft eleven-pattern and twelve-pattern artifacts. You'll become the greatest artificer in the Four Symbols Sect," Gu Lian smiled, naturally shifting his address.

"Did Master Sun really say all that to you?" Wang Yu stared, speechless.

"Heh, I'm just repeating a few simple things he said."

"Actually, I came to Jingzhou for the competition partly because I have ties with Brother Yu, but mostly to see for myself the artifice prodigy Elder Uncle raved about. I never expected to meet you here—much less that you're not just skilled in artifice, but astonishing in combat too," Gu Lian said with quiet depth.

"I'm only mid-Qi Condensation. These skills mean nothing next to you, a former true disciple. I joined the contest for the spirit vein slot mostly to see what other disciples can do."

"Besides, since you once tried to break into Foundation Establishment, your cultivation must be Qi Condensation peak, right?" Wang Yu replied humbly, then asked curiously.

In their earlier fight, Gu Lian had only revealed late Qi Condensation energy—he must have concealed his true level with a secret technique.

"I was once Qi Condensation peak, but when I attempted Foundation Establishment, something went wrong—I dropped to Qi Condensation level ten. Now I'm just Qi Condensation full," Gu Lian's expression flickered, then he smiled again.

"But your cultivation is too low. Otherwise, in pure combat strength, you'd rival even the Qi Condensation true disciples."

"Here—years ago, I had three middle-grade and one high-grade Zengyuan Pills left. They're useless to me now. I'll give them to you outright—help you reach late Qi Condensation faster, become a proper artificer."

Gu Lian finished speaking and actually pulled out three small vials from his robe, handing them over.

Wang Yu froze.

Are true disciples really this generous?

Even a former true disciple just hands out high-grade pills on first meeting?

Wang Yu glanced at the three vials—he recognized them as correct for middle-grade and high-grade Zengyuan Pills. They weren't fake. But after a swift mental calculation, he sighed and declined:

"Brother Gu, such a precious gift—I can't accept it so easily. Do you need me to do something for you?"

Gu Lian's eyes narrowed slightly, then his smile returned.

"Brother Wang, you're clever—you clearly understand that heavy gifts come with heavy demands. I do have one favor to ask, once you become a proper artificer."

Related to artifice!

Wang Yu was surprised, yet relieved—he kept his face calm and asked:

"Brother Gu, explain fully. Otherwise, I still can't accept such a gift."

"It's simple—I want to craft an eleven-pattern artifact. These pills are my deposit. I'll supply all the materials. When it's done, I'll reward you handsomely," Gu Lian said plainly, no longer hiding his intent.

"An eleven-pattern artifact? That's hard for most, but shouldn't be a problem for you. Why not ask a proper artificer from the Sunset Sect?" Wang Yu frowned.

"This artifact is special—it's a single-use item, and the spirit patterns are extremely complex, nearly twelve-pattern level. And I don't want anyone in my sect to know I'm crafting it," Gu Lian said, his smile gone, voice cool.