"Young Master Zhong, I must trouble you with matters regarding the array."

In the Divine Strategy Pavilion, an elder and a youth were conversing.

The elder exuded a deep and solid aura, his demeanor like an abyss, with a Jade Pendant hanging from his waist and a hairpin in his graying hair, both top-tier Magical Artifacts.

The youth had an inexperienced demeanor but his gaze was steady and calm, with a gentle disposition. He wore the blue robe of a Divine Strategy Pavilion member, adorned with two cloud patterns on the chest.

The cloud patterns were special, half-suspended at the chest, and faintly outlined an Eight Trigrams Array between them.

This signified that this individual was a Second-rank Array Master.

In the Three Clouds Market, there were few Second-rank Array Masters so young.

Moreover, in the Three Clouds Market, this person was one of the leading Array Geniuses in the Array Master Alliance, specializing in crafting Spirit Gathering Arrays; it was Zhong Yu.

Of course, Zhong Yu was just a pseudonym for Zhong Heng.

This place was still within Shallow Cloud Mountain’s domain, and Zhong Heng did not dare openly reveal his identity, even though he had already secured a certain status within the Divine Strategy Pavilion.

Zhong Heng escorted the elder out of the Divine Strategy Pavilion.

Immediately, attendants approached, and the elder’s expression restored to calmness upon exiting.

"This lad is quite good; let those disciples in the family interact more with him."

"Although the records show that this lad only excels in Spirit Gathering Arrays, the Spirit Gathering Array is one of the most difficult among arrays. His array talents might not be weaker than those disciples of the old guys in the Array Alliance."

"Indeed, Master."

Zhong Heng watched them leave, then slowly returned to the Divine Strategy Pavilion to cultivate.

He had been cultivating in the Divine Strategy Pavilion for three years, with his Cultivation finally reaching the Third Layer.

There was no other way; the talent was simply too poor.

And these pills contain Pill Poison, forcibly pushing up damages the foundation.

Now Zhong Heng had reached the age of sixteen.

Zhong Heng moved his body a little, feeling the active True Essence within, nodding in satisfaction.

The Five Elements Technique from the Divine Strategy Pavilion contained more intricacies and cultivation experience records than the versions circulating outside, making the cultivated Five Elements Technique significantly purer.

Now Zhong Heng practiced a Five Elements Technique along with the Hundred Waves Divine Forging Technique for training Divine Sense, both originating from the Divine Strategy Pavilion.

The Magic he wielded still numbered thirteen; in this area, Zhong Heng did not spend much thought, channeling nearly all his energy into cultivation and arrays instead.

"Little Zhong, come."

Qian Hua remained as icy a beauty as three years ago.

Yet at this moment, she had a faint smile on her face.

"You’ve adhered to my advice, reported above what you know, and now your rank can elevate somewhat."

"You are now a Copper First-class Guest, with improved benefits..."

"When you advance to a Third-grade Silver Honored Guest Elder, you can be called Elder, and your benefits will further increase."

"Zhong Yu, Second-rank Array Master, cultivation Third-Layer Qi Refining, best at arrays: Second-rank Spirit Gathering Array, Second-rank Trapped Dragon Killing Array, First-rank Gathering Spirit Array... up to fifteen arrays."

Zhong Heng smiled, saying, "Thank you, Sister Hua."

"Serve the pavilion well, the Divine Strategy Pavilion won’t neglect you."

"Moreover..."

Qian Hua condensed a strand of Divine Sense, transforming it into sound at Zhong Heng’s ear.

"A True Master might join the Hundred Stars Alliance; when the Divine Strategy Pavilion merges with Hundred Stars Alliance, perhaps your benefits could increase."

Qian Hua smiled, giving Zhong Heng a meaningful look.

A Golden Core Master supported the Divine Strategy Pavilion behind the scenes, which Zhong Heng had heard about before joining.

Now the Cultivation Realm’s resources were tight.

Previously, a Golden Core Master seeking stable resource acquisition had no choice but to join a Nascent Soul Sect or establish their own sect.

Creating a sect not only allowed passing down a lineage but also provided stable disciples’ offerings, saving time and stabilizing resources.

However, now in various cultivation realms even Golden Core Masters find it extremely difficult to establish sects.

Given that every mountain had its master, establishing a sect by Golden Core Master undoubtedly impinges on other Golden Core Sects’ interests, inciting suppression from other sects collectively.

Thus nowadays Golden Core Masters have few paths available.

Joining Nascent Soul Sect, but Nascent Soul Sect is too remote.

Waiting for a Golden Core Sect’s Golden Core discontinuity to take over, but other sects are also watching closely, just like when the Seven Extremes Sect was annihilated, Golden Core Independent Cultivators had not yet reacted before Seven Extremes Sect got divided.

The other option is joining a Golden Core Sect to pass down their lineage in a family form.

Lastly, becoming a guest of the alliance.

In this era of resource shortage, the status of alliances began to rise.

Declaring abstention from sect conflicts, alliances became extraordinary entities.

In any case, Loose Cultivators struggle, though Golden Core Independent Cultivators are indeed few, most capable ones were ahead taken by alliances’ sect families.

Zhong Heng chuckled, showing disinterest.

Qian Hua, however, directed another meaningful look toward Zhong Heng.

"For instance, the Array Competition jointly hosted by Nine Sects, you could participate..."

"Although some true Array Masters are secluded constructing Tier Six Arrays for the Hundred Stars Alliance, the remaining Array Masters are quite capable; you might win their favor."

"Then you might soar to great heights."

"Regarding other matters, you need not worry."

Zhong Heng furrowed his brows.

If not for wanting more resources, he wouldn’t even prefer to expose his Second-rank Array Master’s cultivation.

Shooting the bird that stands out, the more conspicuous, the more attention received.

"Isn’t it, Zhong... Heng..."

Zhong Heng was slightly taken aback.

"Remember, the Divine Strategy Pavilion is an information agency."

Having finished, Qian Hua’s smile disappeared; she reverted to her cold demeanor, leaving only a lingering fragrant breeze.