Li Yuanliu heard Liu Da Rong’s words and was delighted.
This meant preparations for a counterattack, so they wouldn’t have to be oppressed by those people anymore.
"We await the Pavilion Master’s instructions."
Li Yuanliu solemnly responded.
"Hmm, go call him over,"
Liu Da Rong waved his hand and said.
Li Yuanliu immediately returned, finding Shen Wang, who was examining texts to verify the array experiences he gained during this time.
The first thing he said was with a smile, "Brother Wang, you’re in luck. Our Pavilion Master admires your actions this time and plans to meet you, so a reward is likely."
Hearing Li Yuanliu’s words, Shen Wang seriously assessed his expression to confirm he wasn’t being lied to, and that there was no trick; it was just a normal meeting.
He said, "What I’ve done isn’t much; there’s no need for the Pavilion Master to reward me."
"The senior is in a good mood; rewarding you with something doesn’t mean much for him. What’s precious for us Foundation Establishment Cultivators is nothing for him. Come with me quickly, don’t keep Pavilion Master Liu waiting."
"Alright, please introduce the situation to me on the way."
After considering, Shen Wang decided to go see, thinking it might truly be an opportunity.
"We’ll talk while we walk."
Li Yuanliu led Shen Wang towards the inner sect, saying on the way, "The Pavilion Master is one of the top experts on arrays in our sect, titled Emperor Rong, derived from his name Liu Da Rong. He’s quite good-natured as long as you don’t touch on some taboo topics."
Shen Wang muttered, a title is recognition of one’s power and status, often a term of respect.
This Emperor Rong is the emperor among arrays. Although his cultivation is only at the Golden Core Realm, setting up a top-grade array warrants such a title.
"No need to be too nervous; we’re all on the same side, and the Pavilion Master greatly appreciates you."
Afraid Shen Wang might be scared, Li Yuanliu smiled and offered comfort.
Shen Wang looked at the direction they were heading, clearly towards the back mountain, out of Hundred Refinements City, and past three checkpoints. Without Li Yuanliu leading, he would not have been able to get through.
A quarter of an hour later, Shen Wang arrived in front of a tall pavilion.
The pavilion resembled the Outer Pavilion but was much larger. The wood had a pale green color; it was unclear if it was painted or if the wood was naturally like that.
The pavilion stood a hundred feet tall, carved with flowers, plants, insects, and fish. From the pavilion, Shen Wang sensed extremely strong array fluctuations, exceeding top-grade array levels and reaching a top-grade magnitude.
Shen Wang knew if he stepped into this pavilion, even with Nascent Soul Cultivation, it would be difficult to escape.
Yet he walked in unperturbed, without any sign of change.
He keenly sensed spiritual sense scanning over him and calmly continued following Li Yuanliu without any tension.
This made the hidden spiritual sense withdraw soon, likely having found nothing suspicious about him.
A dog’s bark suddenly appeared, causing Shen Wang to look up and find a large yellow dog standing at the door, watching him intently, its eyes seemingly glowing.
Li Yuanliu gave Shen Wang a meaningful look, "This is raised by the Pavilion Master; we all call it Old Huang."
"Old Huang... I seem to have heard Steward Huang mention it before."
"Haha, indeed, I intentionally called it that." Li Yuanliu chuckled.
Shen Wang was a bit speechless; wasn’t that calling the steward a dog?
But the dog seemed unusual, its eyes glowing even in broad daylight, as if seeing through him.
Shen Wang walked past with a peculiar feeling, stepping over the threshold, and saw a chubby old man.
He was rather short, with a round belly, wearing a white robe, leaning slantingly on a wooden chair, with a ruddy face and short, curved eyebrows, looking quite amiable indeed.
"Pavilion Master, this is Wang Sheng."
Li Yuanliu introduced, then said to Shen Wang: "Why don’t you greet the Pavilion Master?"
"Greetings, Pavilion Master."
The other party steadily observed Shen Wang: "Wang Sheng is not your real name, is it?"
Shen Wang didn’t expect to face such a matter immediately; after thinking, he said, "No, it’s an alias I use when traveling."
"That’s rather honest, not trying to lie to me."
The Pavilion Master nodded, "But it’s not just your name, even your appearance is fake, isn’t it?"
Li Yuanliu furrowed his brow, giving Shen Wang a glance, this he really hadn’t noticed.
"I have enemies with my true face and dare not reveal it easily,"
Shen Wang calmly replied. He estimated he was recognized when he encountered the yellow dog at the door; the dog probably had special eyes that saw through disguises.
"Both name and appearance disguised; such situations aren’t unheard of among the honored guest elders of Hundred Refining Sect. However, if you want more resources and higher status here, you must reveal your true background. Otherwise, there won’t be enough trust between us, don’t you agree?"
Liu Da Rong said calmly.
"That depends on what resources and status the Pavilion Master can provide to deal with threats my original identity may face."
Shen Wang replied bluntly, thinking that since they’ve put it this way, it warranted some negotiation.
"As long as your real identity isn’t much of an issue, you can become an inner sect disciple of Hundred Refining Sect. Anyone who wants to target you will have to get through me first, and then through the sect."
Liu Da Rong chuckled lightly, "Can your enemies achieve that?"
Shen Wang shook his head, "They cannot."
His enemies were the Yun Family and the Xie Family; the most direct enemies had been killed by him. Among them, the Xie Family had no knowledge of his specific identity.
The Yun Family might know, but internal factions within the family differed. The opposing factions to him had been nearly wiped out of strong individuals, indeed posing no threat to this Pavilion Master recognized as an Emperor.
"Then speak about your true background; I hope there’s nothing more to hide."
Liu Da Rong said seriously.
"That depends on what protection the Pavilion Master provides."
Shen Wang replied, not taking much initiative.
Li Yuanliu, on the side, listened dumbfounded; this guy was actually bargaining with the Pavilion Master?
"Interesting; it’s rare for a young person to be as confident as you are."
Liu Da Rong instead laughed. In his eyes, genuine confidence and feigned composure were distinguishable.
This young man was truly confident to reach this point.
He said, "If your background is without issue, I would take you as a named disciple. Though not quite a true inheritor, others would think twice about touching you because of me. Do you think this condition is sufficient?"
Li Yuanliu listened, eyes wide open.
This person hadn’t taken in a disciple for a long time; even being a named disciple was quite esteemed, holding more status than he, as a steward, did.
"A named disciple, that’s acceptable."
Shen Wang considered; this person’s cultivation might not be very strong, but with the reputation of Array Emperor, and as the master of the Array Refining Pavilion, one of the high-ranking members of Hundred Refining Sect, he indeed considered it a form of assurance, a pretty good backing. Find the newest release on novel⁂fire.net
The most crucial thing was that he now had a relatively safe place, with Zheng Yunshu’s protection, allowing him to appropriately show his face outside.
"Then reveal your true appearance and state your true name."
Liu Da Rong said solemnly, then a strong pressure filled the pavilion, clearly indicating that Shen Wang wouldn’t have another chance to refuse.
Shen Wang’s muscles and bones twisted, with crackling sounds, his body became long and slender, and his face more handsome, reverting to his original twenties appearance.
"I am Shen Wang of the Shen Clan from Bulao Stream, Xi Province, at your service, Master."
Shen Wang cupped his hands in salute.
Liu Da Rong’s eyes lit up; this kid was unexpectedly young.
He said, "The Shen Family in Xi Province? Back then, they had some reputation. You come from that declining family?"
"Yes, several hundred years ago, after our Shen Family’s last Golden Core Cultivator Shen Changqing passed away, no more Golden Core appeared. Over the centuries, it has declined into a small family."
"Shen Changqing? I’ve heard of him; your family is indeed quite unfortunate."
Liu Da Rong seemed to recall something, said it was a pity, and then stated, "However, words alone aren’t sufficient; I will have someone investigate to verify this matter. While that is underway, you shall stay here."
"No problem, I have a few matters to discuss with you, Master."
Shen Wang gave Li Yuanliu a glance but didn’t speak further.