"Master Artisan Yang, how did your discussion go?"
Not long after Yu Youxian left, the head of the Wu Household appeared like a ghost and asked how their conversation had gone.
Li Chen said, "I successfully obtained an invitation. It seems I've passed the Golden Sun Gate's preliminary selection."
The head of the Wu Household said, "That's good, but that alone doesn't mean much. Let me speak frankly: over the years, countless skilled rogue cultivators have passed the Golden Sun Gate's selection, but only a handful have truly established themselves in the wilds, expanded their territory, or even carved out domains of their own and ruled supreme."
"It isn't that the Golden Sun Gate treats them harshly. Gaining a foothold in the war-torn Vast Sea is no easy task to begin with."
"Special Envoy Yu comes from a powerful household teeming with talent. She is the daughter of an aristocratic household within the Golden Sun Gate. Leaving aside any long-term prospects, simply befriending her and having her put in a few good words for you within the sect would bring considerable benefits."
Li Chen said, "You're quite right, fellow Daoist." Inwardly, however, he paid it little heed.
The head of the Wu Household had a point, but that was not part of his plan.
Benefits from the Golden Sun Gate or the Yu Household would not come so easily. If they invested in him today, they would demand returns tomorrow. Who could say whether he would gain or lose in the end?
What Li Chen valued in going to the Golden Sun Gate was the shelter afforded by a regional power, not the favors of any particular person or thing.
After the head of the Wu Household left, Li Chen had nothing else to do and continued preparing for his