Chapter 336: Elder Meng

Spirit Stones

Contribution Points

Wang Yu murmured these two terms softly.

According to the jade slip's description, he didn't want to miss any of these resources that accelerated his Crimson Sun Great Art cultivation, but the required Spirit Stones and Sunset Sect Contribution Points were naturally an endless abyss.

During his Qi Condensation stage, he publicly used his rank-one Artificer status to forge large quantities of entry-grade artifacts in exchange for Sect Contribution Points, while secretly using his rank-one Alchemist status to craft various entry-grade pills to obtain vast amounts of Spirit Stones—only then could he meet his daily cultivation needs.

But after Foundation Establishment, his rank-one Artificer and rank-one Alchemist abilities were far from sufficient for cultivation, especially since he was cultivating the Crimson Sun Great Art, a "gold-devouring beast" of a technique.

It seemed he must become a rank-two Artificer and rank-two Alchemist as soon as possible.

He had already learned the criteria for a rank-two Artificer from Master Sun; with the aid of the Taiyuan System's login hall, it didn't seem overly difficult—but if he wanted to master rank-two Artificer techniques faster, it would be best to have a rank-two Artificer personally guide him.

Rank-two Artificer!

Wang Yu's expression shifted as he suddenly remembered something.

At that moment, a wall nearby emitted a soft "puff," and a pale blue aura flickered as a pale yellow talisman suddenly materialized within it.

The talisman spun several times, as if trying to fly toward Wang Yu, but was trapped by the blue aura, unable to move an inch from the wall.

Without hesitation, Wang Yu moved his arm and pointed a finger at the talisman through the air.

A sharp "sizzle" rang out as the talisman burst into flames and burned away.

"Hahaha, I heard Master Wang has become our Sect's exchange disciple. Gu Liang came specially to pay a visit." A familiar male voice emerged from the flames.

Gu Liang!

A faint smile appeared on Wang Yu's face. He tucked away the jade slip and rose to leave the secret chamber.

Moments later, in the cave's main hall.

Wang Yu and a man clad in a yellow robe sat facing each other, smiling as they conversed.

"Tsk tsk, how little time has passed—Master Wang has not only become a True Disciple but also successfully established his Foundation. No wonder Gu Liang chose you as a friend." Gu Liang chuckled.

After more than a decade apart, Gu Liang showed no sign of aging; if anything, he looked two or three years younger, and his powerful aura was unmistakable—he too had become a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

"I've only just established my Foundation. It's Master Gu who succeeded eight years ago and is said to rank among the top three among True Disciples." Wang Yu smiled in reply.

He had learned of Gu Liang's affairs from Xin Geng.

"Lucky, lucky—I never expected that after Foundation Establishment, I'd awaken another bloodline innate ability. Otherwise, with my true talent, I'd only rank in the middle among True Disciples."

"But today's me owes much to Master Wang's help back then." Gu Liang smiled warmly.

"That was merely a transaction back then—Master Gu doesn't need to mention it again."

"You awakened another bloodline innate ability—was it because of that Blood Spirit Pill you exchanged for back then?" Wang Yu studied Gu Liang again, curious.

"Indeed, that pill was the cause—but it failed to trigger a second bloodline awakening. A pity." Gu Liang looked regretful.

Hearing this, Wang Yu was momentarily speechless, yet his curiosity about the Blood Spirit Pill deepened.

Rumor had it the pill was crafted by a rank-two Alchemist of the Thousand Bamboo Sect. Once he became a rank-two Alchemist himself, he might as well attempt to forge one.

"By the way, Master Wang—since you're here as an exchange disciple to learn our Sect's techniques, you must have chosen the Crimson Sun Great Art." Gu Liang suddenly changed the subject.

"Correct. I did choose this technique and have even exchanged for its first-level cultivation incantation." Wang Yu nodded, not concealing anything.

"The Crimson Sun Great Art is our Sect's foundational technique. Since you're primarily a Fire Spirit Root, studying it isn't impossible. But exchange disciples may only stay here three years—if you haven't even entered the first stage within a year, you'd better switch to another technique quickly." Gu Liang spoke slowly, his expression growing serious.

Clearly, this Sunset Sect True Disciple didn't believe Wang Yu could master the Crimson Sun Great Art.

"Oh? Is the Crimson Sun Great Art truly that difficult to cultivate?" Wang Yu frowned.

"Do you know how many of our Sect's Ten True Disciples still cultivate the Crimson Sun Great Art?" Gu Liang countered.

"Xin Shixiong said there are three." Wang Yu replied noncommittally.

"Correct. Three True Disciples still cultivate it—including our top True Disciple, You Tian, who possesses the 'Spirit-Linking Flame Bones.'"

"All three have better cultivation aptitude than I do. But aside from Master You, who reached the sixth layer, the other two have been stuck at the fourth layer for years with no sign of breaking through to the fifth."

"Besides them, every other True Disciple—including myself—once tried cultivating the Crimson Sun Great Art after Foundation Establishment. But none of us could even enter the first stage, and we all eventually switched to other techniques." Gu Liang spoke seriously.

"Thank you for the advice, Master Gu. If I cannot enter this technique's first stage, I will withdraw without hesitation." Wang Yu's eyes flickered slightly before replying solemnly.

"I knew you were a sensible man. By the way, do you still remember Elder Meng—the rank-two Artificer Master of our Sect?"

"You once promised to visit Elder Meng after the Jialan Trial, but you vanished afterward—he's scolded me repeatedly for it." Gu Liang suddenly brought up another matter.

"Elder Meng? Of course I remember. He once invited me to meet him here at the Sunset Sect to guide my Artificing. Are you close to Elder Meng?" Wang Yu asked in surprise.

"Of course. I once served as his Artificing apprentice for a time—but sadly, I had no talent for it; I couldn't even forge an entry-grade artifact."

"Actually, the other person you know is even closer to Elder Meng—that's why he invited you here." Gu Liang gave a knowing smile.

"Another person?" Wang Yu blinked, unsurprised.

After all, this rank-two Artificer Master had summoned him to the Sunset Sect the moment they met—there must have been a reason.

"Naturally—my uncle, Master Sun."

"You didn't know, did you? Before joining the Four Symbols Sect, my uncle learned Artificing under Elder Meng's guidance. In a sense, your Artificing lineage traces back to Elder Meng—you're his Artificing grand-apprentice." Gu Liang smiled slyly.

"Is that so! No wonder Elder Meng invited me."

"Oh no—I've been so busy with cultivation and Foundation Establishment since our parting in the Jialan Secret Realm that I never came to visit Elder Meng. I've probably deeply offended him." Wang Yu froze, then realized the situation, and hesitated.