Chapter 340

"Brother Wang, you don't seriously think a Foundation Establishment cultivator can activate a third-rank artifact, do you?"

To truly wield this artifact, you need two Foundation Establishment cultivators working together, plus a special secret technique to activate it.

Moreover, the extra two thousand contribution points aren't just for the two cultivators' services—they also cover auxiliary medicinal herbs needed for marrow cleansing.

By the way, I should remind you, Brother Wang.

If you want the Qingyang Lamp to perform at its best, it's best to perform marrow cleansing in the Fire Cloud Cave or the Essence Fire Chamber—though the rental fee for those is extra."

Wang Yu fell utterly speechless after hearing this.

He had originally thought the five thousand contribution points the Sunset Sect freely granted after completing the assessment mission were quite generous, but now it seemed those points might not even cover the marrow cleansing required before even beginning the Chiyang Great Art.

If not for slaying the demon cultivator Jiao Sanchi during the assessment mission and earning a substantial bonus contribution point reward, he might have had to first find ways to earn more before doing anything else.

Now that he thought about it, it made sense that other exchange disciples couldn't enter the Chiyang Great Art within three years.

"Thank you for your guidance, Brother. But how many days does it take to complete marrow cleansing with the Qingyang Lamp?"

"Will there be any problems if others assist me during the cleansing?"

"If all goes smoothly, it can be completed in three days."

"As for the cultivators who activate the Qingyang Lamp, Brother Wang, rest assured—all Foundation Establishment cultivators in our sect who have trained in the Chiyang Great Art have rented the Qingyang Lamp for marrow cleansing themselves. Those who take on this task are naturally highly skilled and won't cause any mishaps."

"That's good. How do I rent the Fire Cloud Cave and the Essence Fire Chamber?"

"The Fire Cloud Cave costs fifty contribution points and fifty spirit stones per day."

"The Essence Fire Chamber costs one hundred contribution points and one hundred spirit stones per day."

So expensive!

Wang Yu was startled again.

Renting these two places, rich in fire spirit energy, required both contribution points and spirit stones.

At first glance, the daily cost seemed modest, but if used long-term as a regular cultivation site, the expense would be astronomical.

"Then I'll rent the Essence Fire Chamber for three days."

"Brother Wang is truly generous! I'll go fetch the Qingyang Lamp for you right away."

Not long after,

the red-robed man reappeared, holding a translucent crystal box made of pale red crystal, inside which faintly glowed an ancient, rust-covered lamp.

A pale silver talisman was pasted onto the surface of the crystal box.

The red-robed man handed it over, his tone grave:

"The Qingyang Lamp was once the protective treasure of a former elder of our sect. It can temporarily condense Qingyang Minghuo, a heavenly spirit flame, and its lamp oil is self-refined by the artifact itself—but this self-refinement process is extremely slow. Thus, every time it's used, it must be sealed and nurtured with fire spirit energy for a long time before it can be used again."

"After you finish marrow cleansing with this treasure, the lamp oil will likely be nearly depleted—please return it to us then."

"I will return this treasure as soon as possible." Wang Yu accepted the crystal box solemnly, his gaze fixed on the pale green ancient lamp inside, unwilling to look away.

This was a genuine third-rank artifact!

"Brother Wang, remember: this lamp bears a special restriction. Even if you don't return it, the Qingyang Lamp will automatically fly back to the External Affairs Hall after seven days."

Wang Yu nodded vigorously.

"As for the Essence Fire Chamber, would you like to choose one?" The red-robed man pulled out a white magical disc from his sleeve and asked with a smile.

"Oh? Is there a difference between them?" Wang Yu blinked, sensing something more.

"Our sect has eight Essence Fire Chambers, all built at the deepest, most spirit-energy-rich parts of the fire crystal mines."

For daily cultivation, higher purity of fire spirit energy is naturally better—but when using an artifact to cleanse the meridians, while pure fire spirit energy is needed, stability is even more crucial."

"Room Yi-1, though not the most spirit-pure of the chambers, is built atop the thickest section of the vein, providing exceptionally stable fire spirit energy."

"Thank you for your guidance, Brother. I'll take Room Yi-1."

"Good. I'll reserve Room Yi-1 for you now."

"I'll also post the marrow cleansing task. Once a Foundation Establishment elder from our sect accepts it, I'll notify you immediately."

"Thank you, Brother." Wang Yu readily agreed, politely replied, then took out his temporary True Disciple token and handed it over, followed by three mid-grade spirit stones from his waist pouch.

Not long after, he left the alchemy hall tower, satisfied.

At the same moment, inside the tower, the red-robed man stood before a bronze mirror, bowing respectfully to the figure within:

"I've advised Brother Wang Yu, even selected the most suitable Essence Fire Chamber for him, and I've prepared to notify our most experienced elders to take on the task of cleansing his meridians."

"Well done."

"Tianchan specifically contacted me, asking me to look after his new disciple. I owe him that favor."

"You're my disciple—do me this small kindness."

The figure in the mirror replied lazily—the voice unmistakably belonged to Jin Guang, the Golden Core elder.

"Yes, Master. I'll look after Brother Wang Yu from now on."

The figure in the mirror nodded, then silently vanished from the surface.

Only then did the red-robed man straighten up. After a moment's thought, he pulled out another communication disc, formed a hand seal, and tapped it once—its glow flared as he contacted a sect cultivator.

"Brother Liu, I've just posted a task that earns massive contribution points—zero risk. Just spend a few days, expend some spiritual energy, and it's easily done..."

Wang Yu went to the Sunset Sect's Scripture Hall, spending a considerable sum of spirit stones and contribution points to specifically exchange several personal insights on the Chiyang Great Art.

Especially one—written by a former Golden Core elder of the Sunset Sect, detailing his own cultivation notes during his Foundation Establishment stage.

In the sealed chamber of his high-tower dwelling, Wang Yu took out a milky-white jade slip, pressed it against his forehead, and began carefully reading and contemplating its contents.