Since his son suffered under that hands of a weakling like Ling Xiufeng, then all he has to do is help his son get a rematch against him and achieve an irrefutable victory. Claiming his spot as a genius again. Only then will the heaviness in his heart bring back the confidence he once lost and will never have to suffer another psychological trauma again.
But Wang Liu also knew that applying his solution will be terribly difficult for him. After all, he knew better than anyone else how stubborn and fickle-minded his son was... Just like his mother.
If he tries to even force things on his son, not only will his efforts be in vain, the total result will be polar opposite to what he expects and the repercussions will be too heavy for him to pay.
He must take things slowly for his son to overcome his traumas and he must do it himself.
Then, after processing again and again how he should apply his solution right now, Wang Liu opened his mouth and began to speak.
"By the way, I have some important news. The other elders had come to a decision and made Ling Xiufeng a new member of team in the upcoming Inauguration Tournament hosted by the Cosmic Dragon sect."
Hearing that, Ben Li made a perplexed frown to why Wang Liu was changing the subject so abruptly. But Wang Liu only saw the sudden gleam in his son's eyes.
The reason why he explained so was to use his carrot and stick methods.
He wanted to provoke his son's attention by using Ling Xiufeng's existence and get him to take interest in the introduction of his plans first.
So, seeing his son's reaction, he continued to explain. "Don't get angry. It's not as if the other fogies had favored him for no reason. It's because Ling Xiufeng's remarkable performance had impressed us greatly. With only 9 Gates, he managed to defeat you, a 12 Gates Practitioner who can subdue Initial stage Foundation Formation realm Cultivators back in the annual tournaments.
"Not only that, he has also been frequently taking commissions from the Merit Palace. According to what I've heard, Ling Xiufeng had managed to accomplish an outstanding record. Completing more than 40 subjugation commissions all targeting Foundation Formation realm Beasts. Some even targeting Demonic Beasts!" while he spoke, Wang Liu didn't forget to check his son's reaction. Seeing that his son's reaction remained the same, he continued.
"That's why, we reckoned that Ling Xiufeng should make a fine addition to your team when you lots, along with Xiao Ying, should participate cooperatively in the Cosmic Dragon Sect's Inauguration Tournament. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
Listening intently, of course, Ben Li knew what Wang Liu was trying to say.
He meant that the old fogies had declared Ling Xiufeng an acting participant so that Ben Li can use him as a Pawn during the team VS team rounds of the upcoming Inauguration Tournament.
In short, plan a dick move.
This, of course, goes without saying that Wang Liu was trying to help his son redress his grievance by giving him the opportunity to toy Ling Xiufeng. A perfect plan for an Antagonist like Wang Xie to initiate himself.
Except, the one who Wang Liu was talking to wasn't his own son but Ben Li, the author who written the scripts of everyone's fate.
So, telling him this antagonistic plan involving underhanded means just hits a bad feeling for Ben Li, who should be watching the show instead of participating in this nonsensical fiasco he childishly made up.
Not to mention, Ling Xiufeng will utterly turn the tables on him if he does double cross and emerge victorious in the battle of wit and luck.
Just like how he had written it.
So, should Ben Li follow foolishly along the plot he built up way back that will result in his fall from grace?
What a stupid question, of course he won't!
What he should do was defy the very fate that results his demise. What he should do is stand against the flowing tides of destiny and destroy fate utterly to free himself from the wicked clutches of his Novel!
What he should do right now is reject his Wang Liu's plans for him and devise his own so he will emerge brilliantly a free man untied by his fate.
Knowing what to do know, Ben Li slightly smiled at Wang Liu and nodded. "I understand exactly what you mean, father. However, I have to say, I don't feel assured that I can properly perform my obligations when I participate in the tournaments.
"Not because I don't feel like cooperating with Ling Xiufeng. It's because I feel as if my current strength is lacking to what I need."
"Your strength is lacking?" Wang Liu frowned and was a bit amused.
To think there would be a day where is arrogant son would admit how weak he is. It surprised him honestly.
But it also made him confused. What exactly does he mean by his strength was lacking?
If he tried to make a comparison, his son with his 12 Gates Practitioner battle prowess could easily subdue ordinary Cultivators in the Foundation Formation Realm. His mastery in the Spell Arts had reached Major Accomplishment.
There's also the fact that he has his Ebullient Spirit Body that amplifies the effects of his Spell Arts by more than 50%. Making him practically invincible among the peers of his realm.
Now Wang Liu could clearly see his son's remarkable improvements today.
Blood energy. The invigorating energy from the blood that nourishes every fiber of his body and recalibrates his Physical Attributes that enables him to exert the maximum latent strength of his muscles.
Re-forged Spirit vessel. All of his Meridians and Acupoints had undergone transform into a stronger Foundation. No Cultivation Art can probably restrict him of anything with this kind of Spirit vessel.
And don't even mention the quality of his Qi. It's pure as it could get.
The sea of energy residing in his Dantian was almost transparent from color. Indicating the distinct quality of his Qi.
There's also the matter of his Soul. It was gigantic. Wang Liu had never seen anything like it. Although Wang Liu was no expert in Souls, he does conclude that his son's Soul was uniquely powerful according to the wild gushing soul energy it emitted.
With these kinds of improvements and not to mention his heaven-defying talent, he was sure that his son can subdue Advance stage Foundation Formation Cultivators or even Pinnacle stage Foundation Formation Cultivators!
Although Wang Liu didn't know what his son had encountered to gain such a fortune, he didn't give a damn and was extremely proud that his son was making use of his talent.
However, Wang Liu was frowning because this bastard before him had the cheek to say his strength was still lacking.
What lacking?
Lacking your head!
Although it's true that you have a long way to go becoming a top-notch expert, but considering how powerful you are and put together against all the other participants, you're practically going to win by a landslide.
Anymore improvements then we're just sending you out there to play with ants!
You're joking!
Sadly, for him, Wang Liu saw that his son was actually serious. Then his son said. "Don't take it as if I'm not confident in toppling the other participants, father. What I grow concern is the test applied by the Cosmic Dragon sect.
"I fear that I won't be able to achieve top score in any of the of the test, especially the test of Willpower. My determination will probably sway weakly in the face of challenges that will strike my heart. Making me lose cool to think logically.
"That's why, I wish to grind my determination with time. Only with time will I be able to find the motivation and sharpen my determination."
"I see." Wang Liu said with a shrug but was secretly impressed by his son's explanation.
Indeed, how could he forget about his son's psychological trauma? Of course, suffering from such a setback had raise some doubts in his determination. That's why it was key to absolve his current doubts and grind his Willpower with time.
"In other words, you want a holiday?" asked Wang Liu, to which Ben Li nodded.