Before long, the attendant returned, following behind a middle-aged Foundation Establishment Late Stage cultivator.
"This junior is Lei Feiguang. Greetings, Senior. May I ask how Senior should be addressed?" The middle-aged cultivator bowed to Song Wen.
"Cui Huo," Song Wen said.
"Greetings, Senior Cui. May I ask what business Senior Cui has with this junior?" Lei Feiguang asked.
Song Wen turned his head and glanced at the cultivators coming and going within the shop.
"This is not a place for conversation. Is there somewhere quieter?"
Lei Feiguang raised a hand toward the rear courtyard. "Senior, please follow me."
Led by Lei Feiguang, the two arrived at a tea room in the rear courtyard.
After inviting Song Wen to sit and brewing him tea, Lei Feiguang spoke.
"Senior Cui looks unfamiliar. You likely did not cultivate in this area before, did you?"
Song Wen took a sip of tea and praised it as good tea before slowly speaking.
"Manager Lei guessed correctly. I am a Rogue Cultivator and previously cultivated within the territory of the Nine Palaces Sect."
Lei Feiguang said, "The Nine Palaces Sect has now betrayed the righteous path and joined the forces of the demonic path. The aura around Senior is upright and serene, without the slightest trace of the sinister strangeness of demonic cultivators. Senior must cultivate a righteous-path technique, correct? Cultivating a righteous-path technique in demonic territory cannot be easy."
Song Wen said, "Manager Lei is unaware that cultivating a righteous-path technique in the Nine Palaces Sect's territory is indeed somewhat dangerous. But it also has certain benefits. The demonic path's control over cultivation resources is less stringent than that of the righteous path, which is a good thing for Rogue Cultivators like us."
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Lei Feiguang got to the point. "May