Chapter 111: First Encounter with Mingkong

A ten-day period passed in the blink of an eye, and soon it was the day Master Yuling had spoken of—the day to forge the cherished destiny treasure.

Gu Weiyu arrived early at the Carefree Residence, waiting eagerly. When Master Yuling appeared, her face lit up with joy. “Master, shall we set off now?”

“That’s right. Will you be flying your sword yourself, or will you accompany me?” Master Yuling tossed out her flying sword.

Though Gu Weiyu had roughly learned how to fly on a sword, she was still not very skilled. After a brief moment of thought, she instinctively chose to ride with her master.

Master Yuling stepped onto her sword, sitting poised at its tip, while Gu Weiyu stood just behind and to the side. Once Gu Weiyu stood firmly, Master Yuling guided the sword skyward, heading west toward the Spirit Artifact Sect.

—

The Spirit Artifact Sect was one of the five great sects in the central region of the Wukong Realm, nestled at the tail end of the spiritual vein—the Snow Dragon Mountain Range.

The Snow Dragon Range lay sprawled like a crouching dragon in the heart of the Wukong Realm.

Along this vein were also the Dan Yang Gate, the Ten Thousand Swords Sect, and three other major sects.

The Ten Thousand Swords Sect and the Spirit Artifact Sect were separated by just a thousand miles.

As Master Yuling flew the sword, Gu Weiyu felt the mountain winds whipping past. Amidst the swirling clouds and mist, a magnificent and imposing mountain gate emerged from below the cloudline.

“Master, is this the Spirit Artifact Sect?” Gu Weiyu, having never been here before, asked with curiosity.

“Yes. When we meet the people of the Spirit Artifact Sect, remember to speak cautiously and never embarrass the Ten Thousand Swords Sect,” Master Yuling reminded, though she knew her disciple was sensible and low-profile, she still said it once more.

Gu Weiyu nodded silently and followed her master to descend before the mountain gate.

A Foundation Establishment stage cultivator guarding the gate sensed the presence of a Foundation Formation stage master and hurried forward.

“A revered master visits—may I ask the purpose?” The cultivator respectfully bowed to Master Yuling, asking politely.

Master Yuling glanced at Gu Weiyu, and Gu Weiyu understood that her master was maintaining an air of dignity. She stepped forward and sweetly replied, “Senior Brother, my master has an appointment with your sect’s Foundation Formation master, Ming Kong. Please convey our arrival.”

Upon hearing this, the cultivator courteously invited them into the guest hall inside the gate and quickly sent a transmission talisman to Master Ming Kong.

“That will do. You may go,” Master Yuling said kindly as she sat down in the guest hall.

—

The Spirit Artifact Sect’s Foundation Establishment cultivator respectfully withdrew.

Gu Weiyu looked around the guest hall, her gaze settling on the spiritual fruits and spirit tea placed before her.

Master Yuling lifted the cup of spirit tea, sipping it lightly, then sighed with praise, “This spirit tea is quite good. The Spirit Artifact Sect is always wealthy and generous; even the guest hall’s spirit tea is top-grade.”

Gu Weiyu had little interest in tea; instead, she casually picked up a glistening spiritual fruit and bit into it. Its sweet and tart juice was refreshing and delicious.

After a cup of tea, a youth dressed in the Spirit Artifact Sect’s red-and-white disciple robes entered the guest hall.

“Master Yuling, I am Yun Jin, sent by my master, Foundation Formation master Ming Kong, to escort you to the Jade Artifact Peak,” he announced.

Master Yuling rose and led the way outside the guest hall.

Gu Weiyu hurried to follow her master.

Guests follow their hosts. Upon arriving at the Spirit Artifact Sect, neither Master Yuling nor Gu Weiyu flew on their swords.

Instead, they followed Yun Jin, riding on the sect’s flying cloud beasts to Jade Artifact Peak, where Master Ming Kong awaited.

The flying cloud beast resembled a fluffy cloud, round and soft to the touch, yet light as air when flying.

Because of their adorable appearance, flying cloud beasts were beloved by female cultivators and commanded a high price—one top-grade beast could cost tens of thousands of lower-grade spiritual stones.

That the Spirit Artifact Sect used such precious beasts as mounts spoke volumes about their wealth.

In the blink of an eye, the group arrived before a peculiar wooden and stone structure atop Jade Artifact Peak.

As Master Yuling and Gu Weiyu dismounted and barely steadied themselves, a loud bang echoed, accompanied by thick smoke and a pungent odor emanating from inside.

Master Yuling raised an eyebrow and smiled at Yun Jin. “Yun Jin, has your master blown the furnace again?”

Yun Jin sheepishly chuckled, “I’m not sure, but judging by the noise, it seems so…”

Before he finished speaking, a deep voice came from within.

“Yuling, you’re here?”

At the same time, a middle-aged man in a gray robe, his appearance rather unkempt, coughed and emerged from the building.

Gu Weiyu’s eyes widened as she looked at the unremarkable Master Ming Kong.

His beard, hair, and clothing were dusted with flying ash; his round, plump face was smeared unevenly with black and white patches, giving him a grimy and comical appearance.

This was the famed Foundation Formation master? His looks left much to be desired!

—

“Ming Kong, don’t you clean up before coming out?” Master Yuling chided him with a glance, stepping beside him.

Despite being a Foundation Formation master, he remained as careless as ever, indifferent to his image.

Ming Kong paid no mind and casually performed a Dust Purification Technique on himself, instantly refreshing his appearance.

“So this is your prized disciple?” Ming Kong’s gaze landed on Gu Weiyu.

Gu Weiyu felt a sharp, piercing look sweep over her, stiffening slightly. No wonder he was a Foundation Formation master—although he didn’t appear imposing, his aura was certainly different from ordinary people.

“Red Robe, come greet your Uncle Ming Kong,” Master Yuling beckoned her.

Gu Weiyu respectfully bowed, “Red Robe greets Uncle Ming Kong!”

Yun Jin stood silently nearby, head bowed and hands folded.

Master Yuling and Ming Kong had been acquaintances for many years, maintaining steady contact.

Now that Gu Weiyu had successfully established her foundation, Master Yuling thought of him first.

Besides their good relationship, Ming Kong was an expert in artifact forging—no better choice for crafting a cherished destiny treasure.

“Yuling, please sit for a moment. I’ll tidy up and come out shortly,” Ming Kong said.

He instructed Yun Jin to escort the two into a nearby room to settle them, then hurried off toward his forging chamber.

Master Yuling, familiar with Ming Kong, required no guide, entering the room and casually taking a seat.

“Red Robe, Ming Kong is straightforward. If you have any thoughts, feel free to speak openly.”

Gu Weiyu followed her master inside, nodding softly as she began to carefully consider how to present her ideas to Ming Kong.

Yun Jin’s expression showed envy—this little junior sister’s master was truly attentive.

He stepped out briefly, returning with spiritual fruits and spirit tea to serve Master Yuling and Gu Weiyu.

Lost in thought about her destiny treasure, Gu Weiyu found herself uninterested even in her beloved spiritual fruits.

Master Yuling leisurely lifted the steaming cup of spirit tea, savoring it slowly.