Chapter 3: Formation Master

After waking up at the hour of Mao (5–7 a.m.), Mo Hua began his usual cultivation routine. One hour later, he finished his practice and headed to the classroom to wait for the instructor. Instructors, known as "Jiaoxis," were teachers in the sect responsible for training outer disciples in cultivation, formations, alchemy, and artifact crafting. They also oversaw the disciples' progress and guided their cultivation. Like other sects in the cultivation world, the Tongxian Sect divided its disciples into three categories: direct disciples, inner disciples, and outer disciples. The outer sect was open to the public, focusing on teaching people how to cultivate. The sect's revenue came from the entrance fee, or "shuxiu," which was paid by disciples to enroll in the outer sect. Outer disciples only learned the publicly accessible portions of the sect’s teachings, and after graduating or leaving, they would have some connection to the sect, but no actual ties. The inner sect formed the core of the sect. Inner disciples were bound to the sect and, apart from their cultivation, managed the sect’s various assets such as spirit stone mines, spiritual lands, caves, and businesses. Inner disciples were granted access to techniques and spells that were not taught outside the sect. They formed a bond with the sect, often through a master-disciple relationship, and were inseparable from it. If an inner disciple committed a crime outside the sect, the sect could be held accountable. If they betrayed the sect, it was considered a serious offense with severe consequences. Direct disciples were the elite of the inner sect. They either had blood ties to the sect’s leader or elders or shared a deep master-disciple relationship. Direct disciples formed the core of the sect, and they were often groomed to become the future leaders or elders of the sect. Direct disciples learned the sect’s most guarded techniques, including some forbidden ones. If they betrayed the sect, they would be hunted down and killed. The "Dao Law" forbade cultivators from executing or killing others arbitrarily, but hunting down direct disciples who had betrayed their sect was a violation of the law and could result in the Dao Court holding the sect responsible. However, such matters were usually handled by local Dao Court bureaus. Although the Dao Court was the supreme authority, these bureaus, which governed various regions and cities, were not always overseen by powerful cultivators. When it came to matters involving the betrayal of a direct disciple, which could jeopardize the sect's core teachings, the local Dao Court bureaus often stayed out of it, especially if the sect in question was a powerful force in the area. However, none of this concerned Mo Hua. He was merely an outer disciple of the Tongxian Sect, ranked only as a Grade One disciple, far removed from the inner sect or direct disciples. Even if he wanted to be hunted down, no one would bother with him… Mo Hua harbored no illusions about entering the inner sect. He had neither the spirit stones nor the connections, and it seemed unlikely he would ever make it, let alone become a direct disciple. Calming his mind, Mo Hua sat quietly for a while before seeing Jiaoxi Yan enter the room with a stern expression. Jiaoxi Yan, who was about forty or fifty years old, was known for his strict demeanor and was already at the ninth level of Qi Refining. In the Tongxian Sect, Jiaoxi Yan held a high status, not only because of his cultivation but also because he was the only instructor proficient in formations. It was said that in a few years, he might pass the certification to become a Grade One formation master. All of the sect's Qi Refining disciples, whether from prominent families or common loose cultivators, were taught formations by Jiaoxi Yan. He treated everyone equally—if someone made a mistake, no one received special treatment. He would reprimand or punish them as necessary. For this reason, the disciples of the Tongxian Sect both respected and feared Jiaoxi Yan. The sect’s tuition fees were paid annually, so lessons were also held once a year. Today marked the last day of the year’s training at the Tongxian Sect. After today, there will be a long break of over half a month. Additionally, the disciples would receive their assessment results for the various subjects they had studied. Jiaoxi Yan held a stack of results in his hands. The disciples felt uneasy. Although Mo Hua hadn’t been particularly worried, seeing the anxious expressions of those around him made him feel tense as well. Soon, Mo Hua received his results. As expected, he scored an "A" in formations, his strongest subject. In the Tongxian Sect, few disciples earned an "A" in formations, and Mo Hua was one of them. However, his cultivation level was only rated as a "B." This wasn’t because he didn’t work hard, but because his potential was limited. With his mid-grade, lesser-quality Five Elements spiritual root, no matter how much he cultivated, his progress would always be average, better than some, but worse than many. In other subjects that required more time and effort, such as the "History of the Dao Calendar" or "Introduction to Qi Refining," he earned mostly " 's. However, for subjects that required spirit stones to purchase materials, like alchemy or talisman crafting, he scored "B"s or "C"s. Coming from a poor family, Mo Hua couldn’t even afford to borrow an alchemy furnace, so he hadn’t learned these skills well. During assessments, he could only rely on intuition to get through alchemy, with results that were inconsistent and largely dependent on luck. Overall, though, his results were still quite good. As the saying goes, a single talent can cover many flaws. Formation mastery was difficult to learn, so earning an "A" in formations was quite impressive. After saying a few words, Jiaoxi Yan temporarily left the room. As soon as he left, the disciples began exchanging results and whispering among themselves. "Mo Hua, you got another 'A' in formations!" one disciple exclaimed after sneaking a look at Mo Hua’s results. "Another 'A'..." "I’ve always been a 'B.'" "I’m still a 'C.'" Formations are so hard to learn. Just looking at them gives me a headache..." "Yeah..." The disciples began to gather around Mo Hua. "Hmph!" A disciple from the Qian family, wearing a silver-white robe, snorted in displeasure and said, "What’s so great about it? He’s only getting 'A's because he’s drawing these simple formations from the sect." One disciple, dissatisfied with his attitude, asked, "And what did you get?" "Why should I tell you?" the Qian family disciple sneered. Another disciple peeked at his results and burst out laughing. "He got a 'C!'" The other disciples paused for a moment before erupting into laughter. "You got a 'C,' and you're mocking someone who got an 'A?' That’s thick-skinned!" "Thicker than an alchemy furnace!" "And you’re a disciple of the Qian family! Wow, you’re even worse than me—I got a 'B.'" Furious and embarrassed, the Qian family disciple shouted, "So what if it’s an 'A'? Loose cultivators can never become true formation masters. Do you understand?" He pointed his finger at Mo Hua and the others. "You’re all a bunch of loose cultivators, frogs at the bottom of a well. Without proper inheritance, none of you will ever become formation masters. Let me make this clear: none of you will ever become true formation masters. Got it? I can repeat it if you didn't understand." "Loose cultivators will never be qualified to become formation masters!" The surrounding disciples fell silent. Mo Hua looked at him as if he were an idiot, then stood up and bowed respectfully toward the figure behind the Qian family disciple, saying, "Greetings, Jiaoxi Yan." The Qian family disciple froze as if struck by lightning. He slowly turned his head and, sure enough, saw Jiaoxi Yan standing behind him, his face dark with anger. "The sect exists to teach the Dao and cultivate its students, not for you to compare yourself to others or belittle your fellow disciples!" "Your formation skills are utterly lacking, yet you still have the nerve to mock your peers?" "Go outside and stand in punishment until nightfall. When you return, I want you to draw the basic Five Elements formation one hundred times. If you can’t do it by the start of next year, don’t bother coming back…" The Qian family disciple’s face turned ashen, but he didn’t dare argue. Jiaoxi Yan held a high position in the sect. He could scold even the direct disciples of the Qian family, so this branch family disciple had no grounds to protest. Humiliated, the Qian family disciple slunk outside to face his punishment. Jiaoxi Yan stood in front of Mo Hua for a moment, then silently patted his thin shoulder. With a sigh, he said, "Ignore what others say. Just focus on your studies." Mo Hua's expression remained calm as he respectfully bowed. "I will remember your advice, Jiaoxi." Jiaoxi Yan nodded, then walked over to his seat and gave a few more instructions to the disciples before announcing that the year’s lessons were over and the annual break had begun. The disciples, barely able to contain their excitement, bowed to their instructor, thanking him for his guidance over the past year, and then scattered like birds set free from a cage. While the other disciples rejoiced over the holiday, Mo Hua felt conflicted. Most of these Qi Refining disciples were still young and carefree, unaware of the hardships of a life dedicated to cultivation. Thinking of his father’s scars from hunting demons and his mother’s tired, haggard face, Mo Hua felt a pang in his heart and couldn’t help but sigh. Becoming a Grade One formation master still felt like a distant goal, but within his capabilities, he wanted to make life a little better for his parents. Storing away his results and carrying the twelve spirit stones he had earned, Mo Hua didn’t head home after leaving the Tongxian Sect. Instead, he made his way toward the marketplace.