Chapter 282

"Wang, you need not be so formal; your great merit in the Jialan Secret Realm has severely dampened the demonic sects' momentum—our Ancestor will surely reward you handsomely."

"You originally had 403 temporary merit points, but with the sect's additional 30, your total is now 460 merit points."

"This jade slip contains a full list of all treasures available for exchange and their required merit points—take a careful look." The black-armored man's expressionless face broke into a faint smile; he flicked his sleeve, and a white jade slip flew out.

Wang Yu caught the jade slip in one hand, bowed in thanks, then pressed it to his forehead and plunged his spiritual sense into it.

Though he had seen few such jade slips in the Scripture Library—those specifically storing cultivation techniques—he knew exactly how to read their contents.

The other three said nothing, but all wore amiable expressions.

After all, Wang Yu's performance in the secret realm had been astonishingly impressive, forcing them to view this Qi Condensation disciple with new respect.

They were also deeply curious about what treasure Wang Yu would choose with his merit points.

All four knew well that some items listed on the jade slip could stir even Foundation Establishment cultivators.

The instant Wang Yu's spiritual sense entered the jade slip, his mind rang with a dull boom—a glowing screen filled with dense black characters materialized directly within his spiritual sea…

A set of Minor Spirit Gathering Array Plate, capable of purifying and concentrating spiritual energy within a limited area, worth 350 temporary merit points. (Remaining: 1)

Two Second-Rank Low-Grade Blood Spirit Pills, with a certain chance of triggering a second awakening of bloodline power in bloodline awakeners, each worth 300 temporary merit points. (Remaining: 1)

Three bottles of Second-Rank Mid-Grade Spirit Cleansing Elixir, which enhances the spiritual sense of Qi Condensation cultivators and slightly boosts that of Foundation Establishment cultivators, ineffective for Golden Core cultivators, each bottle worth 250 temporary merit points. (Remaining: 0)

Three days of observation time at the Sunset Devil-Sealing Wall; those with exceptional insight have a chance to comprehend the first three layers of the spiritual sense technique "Spirit-Repelling Art," each session worth 220 temporary merit points. (Remaining: 3)

Five First-Rank High-Grade Customized Automatons, each worth 150 temporary merit points. (Remaining: 5)

Ten First-Rank High-Grade Customized Magical Artifacts, each worth 120 temporary merit points. (Remaining: 10)

Twenty Low-Grade Foundation Establishment Pills, capable of helping Qi Condensation cultivators at the peak of their stage break through to Foundation Establishment, each pill worth 100 temporary merit points. (Remaining: 20)

…

Wang Yu's spiritual sense swiftly scanned the rows of treasures on the screen.

As expected, the rarest items were listed in the first few rows; the items further down were decent, but nowhere near as valuable.

His spiritual sense swept over the Spirit Cleansing Elixir and Blood Spirit Pills, and upon seeing the remaining quantities listed, he felt a flicker of surprise.

Gu Lian had not exchanged for the Minor Spirit Gathering Array Plate, but instead chosen two kinds of medicinal herbs—he took the Blood Spirit Pills, but even more surprisingly, he exhausted all three bottles of Spirit Cleansing Elixir.

This elixir enhances spiritual sense—that is, spiritual strength—and is indeed exceedingly rare, but for Gu Lian, it seemed even more crucial.

As for Gu Lian not exchanging for Foundation Establishment Pills, he found that unsurprising.

After all, as a former True Disciple of Sunset Sect, Gu Lian would naturally already possess Foundation Establishment Pills—it was no mystery.

But how should he choose?

Wang Yu's spiritual sense circled repeatedly over the top few items on the list, weighed his options, and quickly made his decision—he withdrew his spiritual sense from the jade slip, stepped forward two paces, and placed the slip on the table.

"Senior Elders, I have made my choice."

"You decided so quickly—clearly, Wang, you already had your target in mind."

A middle-aged man clad in Qianzhu Sect robes smiled lightly. "Speak—it's yours the moment your temporary merit points cover the cost."

The black-armored man nodded beside him.

"I choose the Minor Spirit Gathering Array Plate and one Foundation Establishment Pill. The remaining ten merit points, I'll exchange for one bottle of Calming Pill." Wang Yu replied respectfully.

The four Foundation Establishment cultivators exchanged glances.

"Those three items total exactly 460 temporary merit points. Lin, come with me upstairs to retrieve them." The black-armored man considered briefly, then turned to the Qianzhu Sect man.

"Agreed."

The Qianzhu Sect man answered without hesitation, and the two rose and headed straight for the second floor.

The remaining two Foundation Establishment cultivators were a burly middle-aged monk and an elderly Sunset Sect man in a crimson robe. After Jin Dan ascended the stairs, the burly monk smiled and asked:

"Wang, I heard you slew several demonic True Disciples—not weaklings. One of them, from the Demon Beasts Sect, even mastered the Fur-Bearing Art of Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain. That man's origins must be far from ordinary—you must be extra cautious in the future."

"What is Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain? I'm unfamiliar with it—Master, please enlighten me." Wang Yu's expression tightened; he bowed deeply.

"Heh, Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain is a demonic sect from Yu State, much like your Four Symbols Sect—it's famed for beast-taming arts. But unlike your sect, which relies purely on cultivating spiritual beasts as aids, they specialize in human-beast unification techniques. The Fur-Bearing Art is their signature technique."

"From what I know, they've long held a grudge against your Four Symbols Sect." The burly monk smiled warmly.

"I see—thank you, Master, for clarifying." Wang Yu bowed repeatedly.

"Wang, I heard you're a certified Artificer—is that true?" The crimson-robed Sunset Sect elder spoke casually.

"Respected Elder, I am indeed an Artificer, but I've only just become certified—my skills are still crude." Wang Yu's heart tightened; he didn't know how the elder knew, and answered cautiously.

"Heh, too modest. A certified Artificer is already mid-tier in any sect—let alone one as young as you."

"If you don't mind, come visit Sunset Sect sometime—I know a few Artificer techniques myself and can offer you some guidance." The crimson-robed elder chuckled, his tone heavy with implication.

"Wang, your fortune has arrived—Meng is one of Sunset Sect's three Second-Rank Artificers. If he guides you even a little, it'll save you countless wrong turns on the Artificer path." The burly monk added, visibly surprised.

"Thank you, Master Meng—I'll certainly visit you when I have time." Wang Yu paused, then bowed deeply, his mind brimming with suspicion.

At that moment, Jin Dan descended the second-floor stairs, holding a square wooden box, accompanied by the Qianzhu Sect man. He looked at the crimson-robed elder with surprise.

"Meng, you're offering to guide one of our sect's disciples in Artificing? That's utterly unexpected."

"I recall that years ago, a Foundation Establishment hermit spent a fortune trying to get his heir to study under you—and you turned him down flat."