"Old Huang, why are you shouting as if I’m someone from a brothel?"
A dissatisfied voice sounded, and a middle-aged man in a long robe appeared. He stroked two wisps of his beard, exuding a somewhat scholarly aura, unlike the rugged Huang Yushan.
"Don’t call me Old Huang, the spirit beast of your Array Refining Pavilion Master is named Old Huang."
Huang Yushan retorted, "This is a guest I met on the way; do entertain them quickly. I’m going back to forge."
"Much appreciated, I’ll treat you to a drink someday," Old Li said with a smile.
"Someday my foot, let’s do it tonight."
Huang Yushan replied as he strode away.
He walked with a tiger-like stride, covering three zhang in a step, and by the time he finished speaking, he was already far away at the Artifact Refining Pavilion.
"Distinguished guest, please come in."
Old Li raised his hand to guide him, introducing himself: "I am Li Yuanliu, the steward in charge of hospitality in this pavilion. If you have any requests, you can speak directly to me."
"Are there any array maps for sale?" Shen Wang asked straightforwardly.
"It depends on the grade you need. We have array maps for ordinary treasure-tier arrays and low-level arrays for sale. Anything above that is unavailable."
Li Yuanliu explained with a smile, "One reason is that there are too few arrays of middle-grade and above willing to be sold, and another is that they are too expensive, typically not sold through this channel."
"Where can such channels be found? Could Brother Li introduce one or two?" Shen Wang, after all, came from a small family, and he was previously only a Qi Cultivation Cultivator, so he was unclear about many things.
"Large auctions or contacting individuals that possess array diagrams."
Li Yuanliu said unhurriedly, "Another option is large exchange conferences, like the Hundred Sects Conference. When various sects gather, not only middle-grade array diagrams but even top-grade array diagrams might appear."
Shen Wang noted these down; the first two might have opportunities nearby, but the Hundred Sects Conference is held once every sixty years, with the next one years away—an urgent need cannot wait that long.
After pondering for a moment, he said, "Can Steward Li recommend a place nearby where I can buy middle-grade array maps?"
He didn’t mention a top-grade array. Once he accessed the middle-grade array diagrams, finding top-grade ones wouldn’t be too difficult.
Li Yuanliu glanced at Shen Wang: "Could it be that you are also an Array Master? Otherwise, why would you need array diagrams."
"Indeed, I am an Array Master," Shen Wang admitted, "but I’m currently short on funds and hoping to find a way to earn some money..."
Unexpectedly, after saying this, Li Yuanliu showed slight discontent: "Are you aware that our Hundred Refining Sect can barely sell out various magical artifacts, arrays, and talismans? Are you planning to compete with us for business?"
"I dare not; I mainly need them for personal use and would not sell here anyway."
Shen Wang shook his head.
Li Yuanliu chuckled again: "I’m just teasing you. Our Array Refining Pavilion welcomes talented Array Masters to join us. I wonder if you have a sect inheritance?"
"No, I am just a loose cultivator," Shen Wang shook his head, considering his status as an outer disciple of Celestial Travel Sect was essentially non-existent, and returning might give Profound Thunder Zhenren and Yun Lingshu a chance.
"That’s good. If you are willing to join us, you can use a large batch of array diagrams at will, as long as they are not leaked."
Li Yuanliu smiled, "Would you be interested?"
Shen Wang was speechless; this person seemed to use threats and invitations interchangeably, displaying impressive tactics.
He showed signs of thinking: "Can I join midway?"
"No problem at all. You would be joining the Outer Pavilion, and later, you would have the chance to join the Inner Cabinet through assessments and earn the true inheritance of our Hundred Refining Sect."
Li Yuanliu smiled invitingly.
Shen Wang felt tempted; surely the Array Refining Pavilion specializing in arrays would have quite a few top-grade array diagrams, and perhaps even top-grade array diagrams.
If he joined, acquiring them would not only be easier but also cost significantly less.
"What are my responsibilities if I join the Array Refining Pavilion?"
Shen Wang did not agree immediately; he wanted to know what duties entailed before making a decision since no sect allows free entry.
"Depending on the grade, you will be responsible for refining a certain amount of array components monthly or annually, and in special circumstances, you might need to assist, with corresponding rewards."
Li Yuanliu explained, "Apart from that, you must not leak array diagrams or do anything harmful to the sect."
"What is the amount you mentioned?"
Shen Wang further inquired.
Seeing Shen Wang’s interest, Li Yuanliu smiled and said, "Naturally, the higher the grade, the less you do.
If you are a newly-graded Array Master, you would need to complete over a hundred array components monthly, or ten sets of low-level treasure arrays.
If you reach the Array Grandmaster level, this amount decreases to one-tenth of what’s above; if you are the Array King, it would suffice to complete one-tenth of the Array Grandmaster’s annual task amount, generally, the higher the grade, the more relaxed."
"Can I leave during the interim?"
Shen Wang needs to be with his family as much as possible to better earn rewards; if he must stay here, he won’t consider joining.
"You can leave as long as you complete your tasks," Li Yuanliu nodded.
"Please tell me more in detail."
Shen Wang’s words indicated his preliminary intent to join the Outer Pavilion of the Array Refining Pavilion.
"Alright, come with me, let’s sit down and discuss,"
Li Yuanliu beamed with joy; Shen Wang was a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, at least an Array Master, making him worthy to bring into the Outer Pavilion.
They discussed while having tea, and half an hour later, Shen Wang had a basic understanding of the various circumstances.
First was the treatment in the Array Refining Pavilion; he can purchase the array diagrams at half price and, if he can completely refine a set of arrays, only a symbolic usage fee is required.
Besides array refining tasks, there would also be array setup tasks, mostly for cultivators or forces that buy arrays but lack array skills.
All tasks and treatments are graded, the higher the grade, the fewer tasks, and the better the treatment.
The grading divides levels into Array Master, Array Grandmaster, Array Expert, Array Master, and Array King, from first grade to fifth grade.
Arrays are similarly graded, with fifth-grade arrays corresponding to low-level treasure arrays, high-level treasure arrays, low-grade arrays, middle-grade arrays, and top-grade arrays, suitable for Early-stage Qi Cultivation, Mid-stage Qi Cultivation, Late-stage Qi Cultivation, Foundation Establishment, and Golden Core realms respectively.
Not only the Array Refining Pavilion but also the grades of other pavilions in the Hundred Refining Sect like the Artifact Refining Pavilion, Talisman Refining Pavilion, Alchemy Pavilion, Demon Refining Pavilion, Puppet Refining Pavilion are similarly divided, forming a comprehensive system.
In addition to these vocational presences, Shen Wang learned that the Hundred Refining Sect has Body Refining Pavilion, Qi Cultivation Pavilion, and Martial Arts Pavilion, which are oriented towards cultivation.
These are the battle-oriented sub-pavilions, with specialized Body Refining Cultivators, ordinary Qi Cultivation Cultivators, and Martial Cultivators, collectively composing the Hundred Refining Sect.
From Li Yuanliu’s words, Shen Wang could clearly perceive the sect’s close ties with commerce, being a major sect integrating cultivation and commerce.
Its philosophy is fairly open, tending to absorb loose cultivators like him, and teaches without discrimination, welcoming diverse talents.
Hence, this sect aligns with some of his ideals.
Based on his previous knowledge, the Hundred Refining Sect was also a top sect in the Sun and Moon Dynasty, stronger than the Lingxi Sect and Celestial Travel Sect.
If he can develop well here, perhaps he could seek protection for his family through the Hundred Refining Sect.