Chapter 153: Fulfilling the Appointment

Wang Yu waved one hand, and the black light in the air halted, then reformed into the iron sword, slowly descending, which he caught and stored in his storage bag.

He planned to study the three spirit patterns on the Hengjiang Sword in depth later, and try engraving them onto ordinary magical tools to see what mysteries they held.

Yet although this Hengjiang Sword was powerful, given past precedents, he dared not use it lightly in battle—better to keep it safely stored in his bag during combat.

Thinking this, Wang Yu walked to the table, picked up the red-and-green long knife and the hive-shaped gun-like tool blanks, and headed straight for the neighboring fire chamber.

Since the Four Sects' Law Assembly was still far off, he intended to attempt engraving eleven spirit patterns on these two tools, to see if he could succeed; even if he failed midway or damaged the tool blanks, he still had time to reforge them.

Those who reach the final stage of the Four Sects' Law Assembly are undoubtedly the strongest disciples of the four sects; to ordinary inner disciples and cultivators from small and medium clans, eleven- or even twelve-spirit-pattern tools are like devastating weapons, yet these elites likely won't lack them.

Once he completed the forging of these two tools and accumulated some experience, he could summon Gu Lian to help craft the promised eleven-spirit-pattern consumable tool.

…

Three months later.

Wang Yu quietly left Tianzhu Mountain, boarded a black iron boat, and arrived at a small mountain no more than half a day's journey from Tianzhu Mountain.

After sitting cross-legged atop a massive boulder, he took out a red circular disc, infused it with a trace of spiritual energy, and tossed it onto the ground before him.

"Hum."

The disc spun rapidly on the ground, emitting a low hum, while several white spirit patterns flickered faintly across its surface.

Wang Yu ignored it entirely, merely waiting quietly—this wait lasted a full day.

Early the next morning, a tearing sound came from the distant horizon; a crimson spiritual boat shot forth, stopping precisely above the small mountain before descending slowly.

"Brother Gu, you're late." Wang Yu stood and stepped forward to greet him.

"Don't blame me, Young Brother Wang—I encountered some delays on the way. You truly are a man of your word, having advanced so swiftly to Foundation Establishment's peak and become a certified alchemist." Gu Lian leapt down from the boat, beaming at Wang Yu.

"Heh, Brother Gu, you even offered a top-grade Zengyuan Pill—how could I let you down? Did you bring the tool blueprint and materials?" Wang Yu chuckled.

"Of course I brought them all. Brother Wang, first examine the blueprint, then the materials—if anything's missing, just tell me. All I ask is that you deliver this tool to me at the Four Sects' Law Assembly." Gu Lian replied solemnly, handing over a white storage bag.

Wang Yu took the bag, scanned its contents with his spiritual sense, flipped his hand, and withdrew a short scroll.

He tucked the storage bag into his robes, then slowly unrolled the scroll, studying it intently.

"So this tool's purpose is…?"

Moments later, Wang Yu gasped aloud in shock.

"You understand its purpose—no need to speak it aloud. Now you see why I sought an outsider to forge this tool," Gu Lian interrupted, smiling.

"Indeed—if this tool were forged in the Sunset Sect, it would surely cause major trouble, given what it counters… never mind. Since I've taken your advance payment and your materials are complete, I'll forge it for you." Wang Yu's face first showed hesitation, but after a moment's thought, he sighed.

"Good, good! I knew Young Brother Wang was a man of honor. Here's the remaining payment—take it. Just promise me: once forged, keep it hidden and bring it to the Four Sects' Law Assembly." Gu Lian beamed, tossing over another storage bag and warning him.

"Same deal! I'm risking myself to forge this for you—don't you dare say I made it. If this thing causes you trouble, I won't acknowledge any connection." Wang Yu took the second bag, his expression hardening.

"Hah! Don't worry, Young Brother Wang—I'm using this tool only to settle a personal grudge at the Four Sects' Law Assembly. No one else will see it used. If anything goes wrong, I alone will bear full responsibility—I won't drag you into it." Gu Lian patted his chest in assurance.

"Good. Then we'll meet again at the Four Sects' Law Assembly." Wang Yu nodded, clasping his fists in farewell.

"Take care, Young Brother Wang. My status doesn't allow me to linger here—I'll take my leave."

Gu Lian solemnly returned the gesture, leapt into the air, and soared toward the crimson spiritual boat, vanishing into the distance in an instant.

"He came to me to forge this? This tool is a devastating counter to fire-based cultivation arts—could he be targeting a Sunset Sect disciple?"

"But with his strength, ordinary inner disciples wouldn't warrant such a weapon—could he be going after another true heir of the Sunset Sect?" Wang Yu stared at the retreating crimson vessel, murmuring to himself, a flicker of suspicion on his face.

"Forget it—who he's targeting is none of my concern. I'm just an alchemist—I take payment and forge tools. This tool's forging difficulty is high; I hope it doesn't consume too much time." Wang Yu muttered to himself, retrieved the disc from the ground, shook his sleeve, summoned the black iron boat, leapt aboard, and set course toward the Four Symbols Sect.

…

A month later, Wang Yu stood in the fire chamber, intensely focused on engraving spirit patterns onto a deep-blue spherical object hovering above the furnace.

The sphere was no larger than a fist, its surface covered in strange petal-like patterns, radiating waves of chilling cold that made the furnace's fire below recoil, hesitant to draw near.

…

More than half a year later.

Suddenly, bell tones rang out across Tianzhu Mountain; over a dozen massive tower-ships, each a hundred zhang long, rose into the sky, packed with dense rows of Four Symbols Sect disciples, heading toward the distant horizon.

On a high platform of the lead ship, a golden-robed elder with an unusual face stood with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing into the distance; perched on his shoulder was a golden toad no more than a few inches tall, while behind him stood a slender woman in a yellow palace gown, her face veiled, long hair flowing, eyes like stars.

On another ship, Wang Yu stood with Li Tianqi and three other men and women, engaged in conversation.

Though called conversation, it was mostly the other four listening as Li Tianqi recounted details about the upcoming Four Sects' Law Assembly.