Chapter 258: Taking Advice, Making the Right Choice, and Arranging Trades
Benton enjoyed his time spent with the members of the Formations Pavilion.
Just like with all the other cultivators, they needed to reach Foundation Establishment to truly begin contributing, meaning, in their case, creating useful arrays. It would be a long time before any of them were of great use to the sect. That fact didn’t mean that leaving them to their own devices was a great idea.
In fact, their time spent in self-study had definitely been counterproductive. Not only had they not advanced their main knowledge technique, but they’d barely reached Small Success with their weapons, either. None of that lack of progress had been due to them not trying hard enough. They simply didn’t have the background in math to make proper use of the technique to advance it, and because they’d spent all their time trying in vain to do just that, their other pursuits such as practicing with their weapons and studying the array manuals had suffered.
Truthfully, Benton hadn’t meant to leave them so long without guidance. There were just too many other fires that had to be put out, and they kept getting pushed to the back of his priority list.
Now, though, he’d set them on the right path to advance their technique and taught them to do something useful in maintaining the sect’s arrays. Not that they’d be able to fix every problem, of course. But they could fix most of the common ones, and the attempt to figure out the solution to other issues would increase their experience with arrays.
Yes. The evening had been a great success. He made a mental note to try to spend more time with each of the pavilions. A new day had dawned, however, and he was unlikely to have a chance to do that for a while. As always, other issues seemed to be more important.
First, he received a return message from Kang Ya-Ting.
Friend Su,
I understand your desire not to impose on the hospitality of my sect, but it is my strong preference that you do not come to the city yourself unless absolutely necessary. The messages you sent have unfortunately stirred up much talk. Your presence might ignite hostilities, and this old man doesn’t think such is your desire.
It is a trifling matter for me to send a junior to collect all the herbs you need, and I can meet you at a time and place of your choosing outside the walls to deliver your goods. If it makes you feel better about me taking the time to perform this service for you, I can charge you a ten percent fee for procurement and delivery.
If you bring the Nature kernels, we can also trade for the Fire stones at that time. We also need to discuss possibilities for exchange of the other materials my sect has.
Your Friend,