Chapter 9: Nine, Accept the Trust of Others
"Elder Brother Yin Huan, your grand arrival to the Shang Family is quite the surprise. Why didn't you notify me in advance so I could prepare a welcoming?"
As the Family Head of the Shang Family, Shang Yan was probably somewhere between seventy and eighty years old, yet in facing a young man of around twenty, he addressed him as a brother, which clearly indicates the prestigious identity of this person.
The young man referred to as Yin Huan wore a dark green robe, neither too fat nor too thin. Based solely on appearance, he was quite handsome, except his lips had a slight blue-ish tint and his eyelids bore a thin layer of black sheen, giving him a somewhat bizarre look.
The reason why Shang Yan, the Family Head of the Shang Family, was so courteous to Yin Huan was that he knew the young man in front of him came from the Jade Pot Sect and was an Inner Sect Disciple of the Poison Vein faction within the sect—a man who should not be easily offended.
The Jade Pot Sect is one of the most powerful sects within the Xuanyue Empire, producing many Meridian Refining Masters. This prestigious profession commands respect from cultivators of the empire, making them wary of offending anyone associated with the Jade Pot Sect.
Despite the esteemed status of Meridian Refining Masters, as the years passed on the Nine Dragons Continent, the profession evolved into two schools: the Medical Pulse Masters, who primarily focus on healing and saving lives, and the Poison Vein Masters, who are skilled in using poison to kill.
Relative to Medical Pulse Masters being more revered, some formidable Poison Vein Masters instill fear, making others dread and careful not to provoke them, like Yin Huan here, who is a Mortal Rank Middle Level Poison Vein Master.
So even though both Yin Huan's and Shang Yan's Meridian Qi strength were just beginning to enter the Meridian Rushing Realm, Shang Yan really didn't dare to offend this genius from the Poison Vein faction of the Jade Pot Sect. Instead, he was trying his best to curry favor.
Shang Yan, swallowing his pride, said these words, greatly satisfying Yin Huan's ego. He chuckled and replied, "Family Head Shang Yan, my visit to the Shang Family is indeed for your benefit, or rather, to bring an extraordinary piece of good news to your family!"
"Oh? I implore Elder Brother Yin Huan to enlighten me!" Hearing these words, Shang Yan's aged eyes suddenly brightened. The Shang Family elites present all turned their heads, eager to know what this "extraordinary piece of good news" might be.
Yin Huan smiled slightly, evidently enjoying the attention, and after a short pause, he said, "Due to the Shang Family's years of tribute to our Jade Pot Sect, the elders have decided to grant your family an extra spot in this year's quota for Outer Disciples!"