The Gathering of Talents was a grand event for Canglan talisman masters, jointly organized by the headquarters and branches of Talisman Mountain. Only cultivators who received invitations could attend.
During the gathering, skilled talisman masters from across Canglan State would gather at various Talisman Mountain branches to exchange Talisman Techniques, demonstrate their skills, refine their craft, and explore secret realms together.
Jiang Chunan believed this was a rare opportunity for Old Yu.
Having started his path late and lacking guidance from a proper master, attending the banquet would surely bring him great benefits.
Initially, Chen Yang hesitated to accept the invitation. Since the invitations were limited, it would be awkward if the Yang Family took one but failed to attend.
But after hearing Jiang Chunan describe the advantages of joining the Gathering of Talents—particularly the chance for lucky participants to obtain Talisman Inheritance up to the Condensing Essence level or higher in the Heavenly Talisman Secret Realm—Chen Yang grew interested.
Following Chen Yang’s decision, Old Yu gratefully accepted the invitation.
With over a year until the Gathering of Talents, Chen Yang estimated his clone would have enough time to finish studying at the Artifact Towers and return.
When the time came, Old Yu would take the clone to the event. As for the risk of detection by a renowned Spirit Communication master, Chen Yang no longer worried.
This proved the mysterious power from the Star Palace couldn’t be detected by those in the lower three realms.
Across the entire northwest Canglan, there were only ten middle three realms cultivators, all stationed in their own territories and unlikely to appear at the Gathering of Talents.
Speaking of the clone at the Artifact Towers, Chen Yang had made significant progress over the past months.
By secretly observing craftsmen daily and studying the methods of Gathering Qi weapon refiners, he’d mastered every step of weapon creation: material selection, smelting, forging, shaping, instilling spirit, and finalizing the product.
To fully master this cultivation art, he now needed a proper Inheritance.
The Artifact Towers’ Inheritance wasn’t recorded in texts—it was taught directly from master to disciple.
Since this path was closed to Chen Yang, he needed an alternative method: entering the Secret Realm of Hundred Refinements.
Like the Heavenly Talisman Secret Realm, this place offered comprehensive inheritance to fortunate individuals. The Artifact Towers opened it every three years for new disciples.
To enter safely, Chen Yang required someone to bring him in. After months of observation, he chose a named disciple from the Artifact Towers.
This disciple, Yao Santu, came from a poor family. After losing both parents, he nearly died fleeing a famine until an Immortal Master from the Artifact Towers noticed his forging talent and brought him to the Tiger-Chasing branch.
Yao Santu valued this lifeline deeply. Since arriving, he’d worked harder than anyone.
While others took twenty years to rise from mining apprentice to named disciple, he did it in eight.
Now a material-selection helper in the forging room, he sorted through daily mineral shipments.
Chen Yang picked him for a reason. Yao Santu was the most diligent helper—the only one who stayed after shifts to practice forging alone.
Through observation, Chen Yang confirmed Yao Santu’s skills surpassed even veteran craftsmen.
Yet despite his efforts, Yao Santu remained a helper due to his terrible cultivation aptitude.
In this regard, he matched Wu Tong: both had horrendous talent, yet weren’t entirely hopeless.
Unlike Wu Tong, however, Yao Santu lacked an Immortal Master’s support.
After eight years as an apprentice and two years as a helper, Yao Santu spent ten relentless years practicing the body tempering methods of the Path of Cultivation at the Artifact Towers.
Through sheer willpower, he achieved Drawing Qi into the body during his fifth year without any external aid.
Yet this was merely the first step. To Condense the Qi Palace, he needed to break through all Twelve Qi Nodes.
Over the next five years, he pushed through ten Qi Nodes through relentless effort.
But true mastery of the Gathering Qi realm remained distant. Given Wu Tong’s difficulties in achieving Gathering Qi, his chances of Condensing the Qi Palace seemed uncertain.
Without reaching Gathering Qi, he couldn’t wield spiritual power to process spiritual ores. No matter his forging skills, he’d remain a blacksmith rather than becoming a true weapon refiner.
Yao Santu clung to his belief that persistence would let him Condense the Qi Palace and attain the Gathering Qi realm.
But the Artifact Towers grew impatient with their underperforming disciple.
Days earlier, Deacon Zhang – who’d originally brought him into the sect – came to him.
"San Tu, after ten years here, you’ve learned a trade. You can make an honest living when you leave the mountain."
The deacon spoke with genuine regret. Though Yao Santu showed forging talent, his poor cultivation aptitude doomed him to mediocrity. The elders had ordered him to convince the youth to abandon cultivation for a simple life.
Yao Santu’s grip tightened on his hammer.
"My debt to you for saving me and teaching me burns here," he said, thumping his chest. He knelt and knocked his forehead three times against the floor before Deacon Zhang.
When he rose, his eyes held unshakable resolve.
"Deacon Zhang, I know my limits. But the Secret Realm of Hundred Refinements opens in one year. I’ve waited a decade for this chance. Grant me one more year!"
"This…" Deacon Zhang hesitated under the youth’s intense stare. "The secret realm requires at least the first level of Gathering Qi. You still need two Qi Nodes, and Condensing the Qi Palace…"
"I’ll fight like my life depends on it! Just one year!"
"…Very well."
Deacon Zhang eventually yielded, agreeing to petition the elders.
That evening, Yao Santu abandoned his usual forging practice after selecting materials. He retreated to his remote courtyard instead.
Sealing the doors and windows, he pulled a smooth, green-speckled stone from beneath his bed. Placing it reverently on the table, he knelt.
"Senior Immortal Stone, I accept your terms. Help me cultivate!"
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