“How magnificent!”

Li Meng sat by the stone tea table, squinting as he watched the figure of the Sect Leader receding into the distance.

While Golden Core cultivators could travel via Light Evasion, it consumed a vast amount of mana. Using such a technique for mere travel was an extravagant display of power.

Magnificent as it was, Li Meng dared not entertain any schemes against a Golden Core cultivator. Forget scheming; even raising his Affection with one was incredibly difficult. The Sect Leader’s Affection towards him was still a big, fat goose egg.

To improve relations with a Golden Core powerhouse, one first had to secure a “foothold,” then slowly build Affection from there. But the method of securing that foothold was far too dangerous. A single misstep could earn you a slap—and a slap from a Golden Core cultivator was fatal.

Only when Li Qiushui had vanished into the clouds did Li Meng finally withdraw his gaze.

“Time to work.”

He set down his teacup and waved his sleeve, clearing the tea set from the table with a sweep of mana. From his sleeve, he then produced a talisman paper inscribed with a long list of names—a commission roster.

For the past month, Moon Gaze Peak had been bustling with activity. Guests seeking custom artifacts and pills arrived one after another. As Moon Gaze Peak was located within the Inner Sect’s territory, all visitors were Foundation Establishment Inner Disciples.

A first-grade Artificer could only forge Low and Mid-grade artifacts. A second-grade Artificer could craft High and Zenith-grade artifacts. A third-grade Artificer could forge Low and Mid-grade Spiritual Treasures, while a fourth-grade master could create High and Zenith-grade Spiritual Treasures.

Qi Condensation cultivators relied on artifacts for combat. Foundation Establishment cultivators used spells and higher-grade artifacts. Golden Core cultivators wielded their Lifebound Treasures.

Foundation Establishment cultivators typically only used High-grade artifacts. The higher an artifact’s Quality, the more mana it consumed to operate. Thus, Qi Condensation cultivators generally stuck to Low and Mid-grade ones. While Foundation Establishment cultivators could use Spiritual Treasures, their spiritual power would be drained dry in moments.

The artifact commissions from Inner Disciples were almost exclusively for High-grade artifacts. Pill commissions were also plentiful. Although Li Meng still had a considerable stock of pills, handing them out directly wasn’t appropriate. Giving too little or giving something too good both posed problems.

“Making money is tiring work, but so be it.”

Li Meng stood up and walked towards the pavilion’s main door with a cheerful chuckle.

Forging artifacts and refining pills were also forms of cultivation. He had to keep himself occupied. The idea of just sitting somewhere in isolated meditation was utterly unacceptable to him.

In the following days, Li Meng divided his time between artifact forging and pill refining. Artifacts were relatively easy to craft; neither High nor Zenith-grade artifacts consumed too much of his mana. While refining the materials was a tedious process, what master Artificer didn’t possess a measure of patience?

Ever since Moon Gaze Peak had sealed its gates with the golden decree, those who received the news late left disappointed.

Some Inner Disciples chose to wait and observe. After all, that Artificer Master on Moon Gaze Peak had produced very few works—only the “Yellow Luo Umbrella,” a single Zenith Artifact.

If one had “suitable” materials, there were quite a few Artificers within the sect capable of forging Zenith Artifacts. However, those Artificers never accepted custom commissions. To obtain an artifact, one had to purchase it at the Market City or exchange Contribution Points at the sect’s Artificer Hall.

Some Inner Disciples who had placed custom orders for artifacts or pills simply settled into meditation within the forests surrounding Moon Gaze Peak, waiting for the day the peak would reopen.

“Junior Brother, it’s been two months already. When do you think Moon Gaze Peak will open?”

Not far from Moon Gaze Peak, amidst a range of mountains, lay a tranquil lake with a pavilion by its shore. Two yellow-robed Inner Disciples at the Foundation Establishment stage sat at a stone table within, leisurely playing Go. The black and white stones on the board were locked in fierce combat.

“What? Did Senior Brother also commission something from Moon Gaze Peak?”

The man addressed as Senior Brother chuckled softly. “Not an artifact—a Spirit Purifying Pill.”

The Junior Brother glanced at him, understanding dawning on his face. His Senior Brother exhibited signs of spiritual power leaking from his body—a clear indication he had hit a Bottleneck and could progress no further without a breakthrough.

“Congratulations on your impending breakthrough to late Foundation Establishment!”

The Spirit Purifying Pill was required for Foundation Establishment cultivators attempting to break through minor realms. Its effects were somewhat similar to the Spirit Tempering Pill, but its spiritual power was far more violent, helping cultivators forcibly impact their spiritual meridians to shatter barriers.

“I’ll take your auspicious words! And Junior Brother… you’ve lost.”

A white stone descended with a sharp clack for the final kill.

“Senior Brother’s skill in Go far surpasses this Junior’s. I concede defeat!”

“Haha! Victory and defeat in Go are always full of variables. Another game, Junior Brother?”

“Agreed! This time, I’ll have you fleeing in disarray!”

“Haha! Then this Senior Brother shall watch with anticipation!”

A gentle breeze swept by, rippling the lake’s surface into shimmering light. Only the voices of the two brothers-in-arms drifted through the tranquil scene from within the pavilion.

Moon Gaze Peak.

At dawn, as all things awoke with vitality, a soft click sounded.

The pavilion door opened from within. Li Meng emerged leisurely in his yellow robes, his white hair catching the morning light. His gaze swept over the reclining chair before moving on; it lingered on the tea table before shifting away again.

Squinting up at the azure sky, he murmured with a smile, “Let’s wait a little longer then.”

Chuckling to himself, he ambled towards a small grove of trees beside the pavilion. Upon reaching it, he surveyed the area with an appraising eye.

“Hmm, this spot will do nicely.”

With a flick of his sleeve, a golden talisman shot out from within his robes. It circled him twice like a playful spirit before adhering firmly to his back.

In that instant, Li Meng underwent a startling transformation.

His face still wore that faintly mischievous smile that bordered on roguishness, yet his entire being now exuded an aura of righteous majesty and solemn dignity. He looked like a celestial judge descended to the mortal realm.

A dense golden light—so concentrated it seemed almost liquid—burst forth from behind him, instantly enveloping his body in its radiance.

Li Meng reached out to touch the light but felt nothing but empty air.

“‘All Dharmas are empty; all Dharmas are real. Words become law; such is the Golden Light Mantra.’ So that’s what it means.”

A slight smile touched his lips as he turned his gaze towards the grove ahead.

He extended his right hand and made a grasping motion forward.

A massive golden hand materialized out of thin air! The spiritual energy of heaven and earth surged wildly towards it, feeding its form.

The colossal golden hand seized several large trees by their trunks and ripped them from the earth with their roots intact before tossing them aside effortlessly.

“Interesting… Let’s see your limits.”

As he spoke, five-colored spiritual light erupted from within Li Meng’s body! The golden light enveloping him began devouring his spiritual power at a frantic rate!

The massive golden hand dissipated!

Li Meng swung his arm in a sweeping motion across his front!

His internal spiritual power was sucked away madly by the golden light, draining him like a vortex!

An enormous golden hand manifested once more—this time so vast it resembled a mountain!

It swept across the small grove like a plow!

A thunderous BOOM echoed!

The entire grove was scoured clean by that single sweep! Even a full meter of topsoil was scraped away, leaving raw earth exposed to the sky.

Li Meng staggered back violently! His face turned deathly pale!

He hurriedly formed hand seals with both hands!

The mountain-like golden hand gradually faded away! The golden light encasing him retracted back into the talisman on his back!

The brilliant golden talisman detached itself and circled him once before flying back into his sleeve.