Lucas became the most prominent disciple in the Profound Symbol Sect. Not only to the sect elders but also to the Sect Master, who was sitting across the table from Lucas.
Inside a room, Lucas was with important family heads that stood as the pillars of the sect. They were here not just because they were also curious about an expert that had a guise of an examinee, but they were also curious about the offers he had.
Of course, they lowered their standards at this point after they heard he was a rogue cultivator. Rogue cultivators weren’t that impressive, which meant that he had less reputation and political power. But even with that, they were still optimistic about the opportunity they could get from Lucas.
They surrounded a long rectangular table. At the other end, Lucas sat and faced everyone. In total, there were ten individuals attending the meeting. However, despite how lively it looked, it was different for Lucas. Deep inside, his emotions were gloomy, not too negative, but he was expecting this a deal only between him and the Sect Master.
’How could this turn out to be a meeting between the biggest individuals in the sect? I only want to meet the Sect Master and offer a deal.’
Grew tired of dealing with people, Lucas hated meetings as he had to deal with unnecessary opinions of people. Not just in his previous world when he was still an advisor, but even in this world, he still disliked.
"Fellow Daoist Lucas, I am Gillian Lishi, the Patriarch of the Lishi family of the southern region." A cultivator in the Master Spirit Realm introduced himself.
As he initiated the talk, others followed as well. They introduced themselves, including the affiliation they had and the position they held in the sect. Even though it was a bit show-boasting, Lucas didn’t mind it since it was normal for them to act this way.
Human nature is what’s commonly called it.
Everyone finally introduced themselves until the last one, the Sect Master of Profound Symbol. He had a reverent appearance, a long white beard, and a slightly aged face. However, despite the signs of being old, there was still some vigorous energy that Lucas felt from him. He looked just like what common masters are.
Lucas smiled as the Sect Master introduced himself.
"Good morning, Fellow Daoist Lucas. I am the Sect Master of the Profound Symbol Sect, Wilford Guangchang." A respectful voice came from the Sect Master.
Lucas nodded in response.
The majority of them were at the Master Stage, except for the sect master. He was slightly stronger than them, and at the beginning of the General Spirit Realm. Now, it made Lucas realize that most masters of organizations or even just the best experts were commonly at the General Stage. Although there weren’t plenty of them, but most General Spirit Realm cultivators were already the strongest among the common.
Lucas was just silent. His eyes never showed any specific expression. He was stiff. However, there was a reason behind this.
"Ah... I only wanted to talk with the sect master, but why was everyone gathering here?" Lucas asked.
There were some tense moments, but even though Lucas was exuding some otherworldly aura, they weren’t budging from it. They confidently faced Lucas, wearing a fake reverent smile.
"It was because we were told that a senior would visit us. And thus, we were here to respectfully greet you."
Lucas scratched his nape in a rather classy way. He swayed his arm while his robes moved like a feather. The cultivators that saw him act in this way almost blushed in admiration of his poise.
"So it was because of it? I don’t mind it. Let me just talk with the Sect Master, and no one will pry into our conversation. Will that be okay?"
"Of course, it will be okay, Fellow Daoist." They all answered in unison.
Lucas smiled and nodded. After that, he activated a storage spell and pulled something from it. He didn’t really like the idea of using the items to hasten his progress, as from the bottom of his heart, he wanted to start his journey in cultivation from scratch. But since circumstances were inevitable, he had to accept he’d cheat.
He took a silver scroll-like artifact and placed it on the table. The artifact was detailed with the artistic preference of a well-regarded artisan in Lucas’s previous world. And as it was filled with exquisite style, Lucas smiled.
But on this course, he wasn’t expecting the eyes to stare at him with flickering eyes.
’So it isn’t common for them to see mystical arts despite living long lives?’ Lucas thought.
He smiled at each of them, then finally opened the scroll-like object. Starting with a dim light after he slightly opened it, the whole artifact turned into gold and shone brightly, almost drowning Lucas’s face.
"This is a treasure called the Dome of Flames. I know that this sect had the best array masters in the world. However, this treasure here is something that can’t be forgotten. You can pass it to the next generation as this treasure has unlimited energy and use."
All of their eyes widened in delight as soon as they heard the description.
"Was this that great?" One of the cultivators asked, but Lucas didn’t reply. He just smiled at him with some unknown purpose.
The cultivator who asked shut his mouth and awkwardly retracted himself.
Wilford, on the other hand, raised a question in accordance with the other cultivators.
"What does it mean, Fellow Daoist Lucas?"
"This is a self-sufficient treasure. It can recover its energy. However, I only said that it was unlimited use, but time is important for this one. You know what it means. Like humans, they need to rest to recover their energy."
Everyone nodded after Lucas’s explanation. And with another question raised by Wilford, Lucas willingly answered it.
"What’s the use of it? You mentioned that you know that we were one of the best in array formation. Does that mean that this one is from an array?"
Lucas shook his head. "It is not connected to any array formation, but this one had a similarity to array formations. I can’t explain it to you, but it will be useful since the use of this treasure is for protection. It can create a 500-meter radius dome, and it is adjustable to a lower radius. Also, this protection dome can withstand an attack from me."
"Why was it named the Dome of Flames?"
"Well, it was made from flames in reality. The dome that can be created from the treasure was covered with flames, but it won’t harm anyone on the inside. It will be another way of protection and can cause damage to attackers as well if they are contacted physically."
Everyone nodded again after his explanation.
"Thank you for this. What will be in exchange for it? I believe you are asking for something. That’s why you wanted a deal with us."
"On point! That’s right, Sect Master. However, I am not that cheap to only give you one gift. I have plenty."
Lucas then pulled out another one from the storage spell. And the second time, their eyes were dazed off while following Lucas’s hands.
But Lucas just ignored it and put another artifact on the table. It was a bottle-like object in silver. Like the previous one, it has well-carved details, as if it were made by the same artisan.
"This one here is called "Refreshing Bottle." Any water you put in will turn into healing water. Just like the previous one, it has unlimited use and needs time to recover its energy."
Wilford raised a question. "What’s healing water? Does that literally mean water that can heal? I mean, that’s amazing, but there are good doctors on this continent and water is not enough to heal anyone."
Lucas just snickered after hearing Wilford’s sentiments. Although it was reasonable for him, it was not at least the frequently asked question about Refreshing Bottle.
"You are underestimating this treasure. It can heal any complication that isn’t connected with spiritual energy. Let’s take, for example, blood loss. It can help the body recover its blood by only drinking the healing water."
Everyone’s lips were shaped into an ’O’ with Lucas’s words. It seemed too good to be true, but from how Lucas confidently explained it, they couldn’t feel any fraud in it.
"I’ll take that into account. We can’t bring doctors with us at any time for every simple complication. Thus, I think it will be helpful for the general to have this treasure. Was this all?"
Lucas nodded.
"Then, what do you want to ask in return, Fellow Daoist?" Wilford asked.
Lucas just smiled and put his hands on the table, then pushed his body onto the table. His elbows supported him, leaning on it, and as he did it, a cunning smile formed on his lips.
"I want to ask for an array that can gather a specific type of energy. Do you have any of those? Or even just an array that can gather spiritual energy."
Everyone looked at Lucas with cheerful eyes. It was as if they had gotten the most advantageous deal in history.
Not only did they receive treasures of high importance, but what Lucas requested was too common to be found since any array master could create one.
"We have those. But why do you need to have a deal with us if it was only that simple array you wanted?"
"You are underestimating arrays. Well, I guess it’s because you know it in every corner of the field. However, I am not asking for a simple array formation. I want complete knowledge and the most powerful of them all. I bet you are treating it as the most valuable item here in your sect."
And as Lucas pronounced those words, everyone’s faces went blank.
[A/N: Thank you very much for the gifts, Fellow Daoist Curtis8918. And also, to all those who continue to read my work. From the bottom of my heart, I love you! This keeps me motivated!]