A change in sect influence.
Elder Xiong had considered taking him as an apprentice, but his sect influence, then and now, hadn't changed at all.
Based on the patterns Fang Yun had observed, a situation like this should have increased his indirect influence, which in turn would have inevitably caused his sect influence to change.
If he had received this prompt back then, he would have been far more proactive in seeking out Elder Xiong.
Having an Elder as a master within the sect—a Management Elder of a peak, at that—was a huge blessing for Fang Yun.
Right now, his backing was still flimsy. If he truly had an Elder for a master, even just a regular one, his background in the sect would be rock-solid.
Righteous Cultivators were especially particular about accepting apprentices. Once the relationship was established, it could surpass even a father-son bond in most cases.
