Lu Haotian stepped out of the Array Hall with the jade slip tucked inside his sleeve.
He had barely taken a few steps when a servant approached and bowed deeply.
"Young Master, Elder Shen requests your presence."
Lu Haotian paused for a moment at the title, then nodded. "Lead the way."
The servant brought him to a quiet side courtyard near the Array Hall. The place was calm, with a single old tree casting shade over the stone ground.
Shen Yuan stood there, hands behind his back.
The servant bowed and left.
Lu Haotian stepped forward. "Elder Shen."
Shen Yuan turned, his gaze landing on him with quiet interest. "You came quickly."
Lu Haotian replied simply, "Yes Elder."
Shen Yuan let out a faint chuckle.
He looked at Lu Haotian more carefully this time, as if reassessing him from scratch.
"You know," he said slowly, "in this entire Lu Family, I haven't seen many disciples who can form nodes the way you did."
Lu Haotian remained calm. "I've only practiced a little."
Shen Yuan gave a short laugh at that, clearly not convinced. "If that was 'a little,' then most of them have wasted their time."
He stepped closer, his tone turning more serious.
"I am Shen Yuan. A Tier 2 Array Master. Invited here by the Lu Family to oversee and teach."
Lu Haotian nodded slightly. "I've heard of you."
Shen Yuan smirked faintly. "Good. Then I won't waste time."
He looked directly at him.
"You have the potential to become a proper array master."
Lu Haotian's expression shifted just slightly, almost imperceptibly.
Shen Yuan continued, "Your control is clean. Your output is steady. More importantly, your nodes form with intention, not guesswork."
He paused, then added, "That kind of instinct is rare."
Lu Haotian frowned slightly. "My spirit roots are mixed and mortal grade. That limits my path."
Shen Yuan clicked his tongue lightly, almost annoyed. "You're still thinking like a cultivator measuring strength by roots."
He waved his hand dismissively. "Array masters are different. Control, perception, and understanding matter more."
He gave a small, amused smile. "If roots were everything, half the people in that hall would be geniuses."
Lu Haotian couldn't help the faint curve at the corner of his lips.
Shen Yuan caught it and chuckled. "At least you can laugh."
Then his expression settled again.
"I want to take you as my disciple."
Lu Haotian looked at him for a moment, then exhaled quietly.
"That's unexpected."
Shen Yuan shrugged. "Not to me."
Lu Haotian shook his head slightly. "Taking me in won't bring you much benefit."
Shen Yuan raised a brow. "Who said I'm doing this for benefit?"
He paused, then added with a faint smirk, "I'd rather teach someone who can actually understand than waste time repeating basics."
Lu Haotian looked away briefly, thinking.
Shen Yuan didn't interrupt him this time.
After a few moments, Lu Haotian spoke again. "If I accept… what changes?"
Shen Yuan smiled slightly. "You gain my guidance. My authority in the Array Hall. Fewer restrictions. Easier access."
He tilted his head. "And less trouble from people who think you don't belong."
Lu Haotian's eyes flickered faintly.
That was the real value.
Status.
Access.
Freedom to act without unnecessary interference.
He looked back at Shen Yuan.
"…Then I accept."
Shen Yuan blinked once, then laughed lightly. "You didn't hesitate much."
Lu Haotian replied calmly, "There's no reason to refuse something useful."
Shen Yuan shook his head with a small smile. "You're very clear about what you want."
Lu Haotian didn't deny it.
He stepped forward and bowed.
"Disciple greets Master."
Shen Yuan nodded, satisfaction clear in his expression.
"Good."
He turned slightly and said, "Study your technique well. In three days, come find me."
Lu Haotian straightened. "Understood."
He turned and left the courtyard.