Helian Tie Lan had provided considerable assistance to Gu Sheng. While working together to forge the Tempered Heavy Armor and Thirsty Blood Battle Axe, their relationship grew closer. Gu Sheng did not hide his intentions and nodded in confirmation: "Hmm, I should be leaving in the next day or two."
Upon hearing this, Helian Tie Lan fell into brief silence before smiling and saying, "With your talent, staying in a place like this is indeed a waste. Only in a broader world will you find a better future. Although there are plenty of opportunities in Red Cloud Prefecture, remember that it is far more complex and perilous than Canghe County. Once you go, you must be careful and vigilantâdonât let yourself get devoured to the bone."
Gu Sheng merely chuckled in response. With his steady and cautious nature, he firmly believed he could carve out his own path in Red Cloud Prefecture!
"Would you like to come with me?"
Helian Tie Lan had mentioned before that her family resided in Red Cloud Prefecture. Considering her skills, Gu Sheng thought that if she went there, she might one day become a true Artifact Refiner.
However, Helian Tie Lan shook her head helplessly: "I wonât go. Our lineage has long been wanted by the main family; if I return now, it would be walking straight into the trap. If I ever go back, it will only be after I become a true Artifact Refiner! When that day truly comes, I will return with my parentsâ unfulfilled wishes and reclaim what rightfully belongs to us!"
Her gaze was resolute, and Gu Sheng could sense an intense determination emanating from her.
Helian Tie Lan shifted her tone and warned again: "The Helian familyâs influence in Red Cloud Prefecture is not weak, ranking among the powerful families. Once the Helian Weapon Casting Skill is mastered and combined with special techniques, it can be used to forge Treasure-grade artifacts, cementing oneâs status as an Artifact Refiner. Therefore, they highly value these methods. When you arrive in Red Cloud Prefecture, do not carelessly reveal anything, or it might bring about mortal danger."
"Mastering it makes someone an Artifact Refiner?"
This revelation shocked Gu Sheng. It was the second time heâd heard the term "Treasure" artifactâthe first time being from Ge Qing.
Although Gu Sheng lacked a concrete understanding of Treasure artifacts, it didnât stop him from imagining their worth, especially since Ge Qing had remarked that the weapons and pills they currently used were all inferior.
Helian Tie Lan nodded and added, "Yes. The cultivation of an Artifact Refiner and a Pill Master differs greatly from that of a Martial Artist. Advancing is extremely challenging; it requires both exceptional talent and diligent practice. Neither can be missing. As far as I know, only fewer than twenty people in the entire Helian family have reached the Great Achievement Realm for the Helian Weapon Casting Skill! You have considerable talent in casting; if you have time, you should dive deeper into the subject."
"Wait for meâIâll give you something."
After saying this, Helian Tie Lan disappeared into her room. Gu Sheng waited outside for a full quarter hour before Helian Tie Lan emerged holding a small booklet.
She handed the booklet over to Gu Sheng: "Inside are detailed techniques for forging Treasure-grade artifacts using the Helian Weapon Casting Skill. If you ever break through to the Great Achievement Realm, this will be useful."
Gu Sheng opened the booklet. The notes inside were fresh, clearly written just recently.
The booklet contained several intricate refining techniques, along with many unfamiliar terms Gu Sheng had never encountered before.
Without the proper techniques, even mastering the Helian Weapon Casting Skill wouldnât suffice to forge Treasure-grade artifacts.
Given the scarcity of people in the Helian family who had achieved mastery, Treasure artifacts were undoubtedly priced at exorbitant levels. These techniques were crucial; they alone were worth a fortune!
Gu Sheng solemnly put the booklet away and sincerely said, "Thank you!"
Helian Tie Lan smiled and replied, "Thank me for what? Without you, I wouldâve died at the hands of the Black Sand Gang long ago. I have nothing but this to repay your kindness."
Gu Sheng pulled out silver notes worth thirty thousand taels from his pocket and handed them to Helian Tie Lan: "I donât have much to give you eitherâtake these silver notes. Cultivating the Helian Weapon Casting Skill requires lots of money. Iâll wait for you in Red Cloud Prefecture. I believe that you can become an Artifact Refiner and reclaim your place in the family!"
After chatting for a long time, Gu Sheng bid farewell and left the small courtyard. He bought numerous tasty foods and a few jars of fine wine in the city before heading to Guâs Manor.
By the time he returned to Guâs Manor, the sun was setting. Smoke curled from chimneys all around the manor, and the crops planted in the fields outside had started to sprout tender shoots.
Seeing this scene, Gu Sheng couldnât help but recall his various experiences living here. A peculiar feeling surged in his heart, causing his mood to sink slightly.
"Ah, people must move forward, right? No need for a young man to be so melancholic."
He sighed deeply, mocked himself a little, and shook off the wistful thoughts before carrying the food and wine to Gu Erniuâs house.
Because of Gu Wanâs martial arts training, most of the familyâs money had been saved for purchasing cultivation resources, leaving Gu Erniu and Li Lian with a much lower standard of living.
In the past, thanks to Gu Erniuâs archery skills and the crops from their field, their family enjoyed a fairly decent standard of living among tenant farmersâat least they could afford meat regularly. However, now they could only eat bran and wild vegetables, their lives unbearably frugal.
"Er Niu!"
Gu Sheng called out from afar.
Gu Erniu spotted Gu Sheng through the window and immediately put down his bowl and walked outside: "Asheng, you havenât eaten yet, have you? Come, come, join us!"
After saying this, he turned around and yelled into the house towards Li Lian: "Ah Lian, quick, stir-fry some cured meatâAsheng is eating with us tonight!"