Might and Prestige I

"Sorry to keep you waiting." Vice Sect Master Xu Haobai soon returned to his meditation cushion and gave Lu Sheng a slight nod. "Our sect has always kept a tight grip on information of this kind. I fear we have made you laugh at us."

"Not at all. The Mother of Pain is cunning and treacherous; your sect is merely being prudent," Lu Sheng replied.

"To be frank, the Mother of Pain previously planted many spies within our sect, causing several campaigns to fall short at the final step, with grievous casualties. Otherwise, we would not be so tense." Xu Haobai gave a helpless, bitter smile.

"Spies?" Lu Sheng's heart stirred.

"Yes. It is inconvenient to discuss this matter in detail. If you wish to learn more, you may visit the Records Department afterward to consult the records. Also, I have just reported your circumstances to the Sect Master. The Sect Master is also most delighted that you have joined our sect, but he is currently in a secret realm tending to his injuries and cannot come out to receive you. I hope you will excuse him," Xu Haobai explained simply.

"The Sect Master is too courteous." Lu Sheng clasped his fists.

Xu Haobai soon had someone bring Lu Sheng robes befitting his rank. They bore the same green clover patterns, but unlike those of ordinary cultivators, they came with an ivory-white jade crown.

Pale golden mist circled endlessly around the crown like flowing light. The streams of light revolved at high speed around the jade-white crown, like living creatures.

"This is the mark of an External Seat Elder: the Moon Shadow Flowing Crown. It has several dozen convenient spells attached to it. It is sturdy and durable, may be stored in one's personal spatial adornment at any time, and