The Quest for Immortality Chapter 3: The Array Master

At the hour of the Rabbit, Mo Hua roused from sleep and began his daily cultivation practice.

After an hour of diligent session, he finished his routine and made his way to the classroom to receive lessons.

In the sect, instructors are referred to as 'educators' and they impart knowledge to Outer Sect disciples in fields like cultivation, array formation, pill concoction, and artifact forging, while overseeing and mentoring their training.

Similar to other sects in the cultivation world, Tongxian Sect divides its disciples into three categories: direct disciples, Inner Sect, and Outer Sect.

The Outer Sect welcomes the general public for education and nurturing of new cultivators, supported by entry fees from disciples that function as tuition costs. Outer Sect members study the sect's open teachings, and after completing studies or leaving, they maintain a superficial tie to the sect without any real obligations.

The Inner Sect forms the heart of the organization, where members are fully embedded and handle the sect's ventures including spirit mines, spirit fields, caves, and business dealings.

Inner Sect cultivators gain entry to advanced teachings and techniques rarely shared externally, connected through a profound master-disciple bond that links them firmly to the sect. Wrongdoings by an Inner Sect member can tarnish the sect's reputation, and betraying one's master is viewed as a heinous crime, leading to harsh punishments.

Direct disciples represent the pinnacle of the Inner Sect, often related by blood to the sect leader or elders, or bound by an intense master-disciple tie. They constitute the sect's foundation, frequently rising to key roles like sect leader or elder.

These direct disciples receive the sect's deepest secrets and doctrines, and should one turn traitor, they face relentless pursuit until demise.

The Dao Law forbids private vengeance and wanton slaughter. Hunting a traitorous direct disciple violates these principles and invites scrutiny from the Dao Court. Yet, such issues are usually handled by regional Dao Court officials. As the supreme authority, the Dao Court avoids meddling in these conflicts, particularly those involving influential major sects.

However, such affairs held little relevance for Mo Hua.

He remained merely an Outer Sect disciple in Tongxian Sect, far from Inner Sect status or direct disciple privileges. Even if he desired attention, he lacked the stature to warrant it...

Mo Hua yearned to enter the Inner Sect, yet lacking spirit stones or influential ties, it appeared impossible in his current life, much less ascending to direct disciple.

Taking his place in the classroom, Mo Hua cleared his thoughts until a severe-faced educator, about fifty years in age and at the ninth layer of Qi cultivation, stepped inside.

Within Tongxian Sect, this educator commanded respect due to his exclusive role in teaching array formations, with whispers suggesting he might soon earn the title of ranked Array Master.

All disciples in the Qi cultivation stage studied array formations under his guidance, irrespective of origins. He enforced fairness, scolding or correcting mistakes without favoritism.

Consequently, the disciples held him in both esteem and apprehension.

Tuition payments occurred yearly, so classes convened once a year.

This day marked the conclusion of the sect's annual instruction period. Following it, a month of respite would begin. Grades for the courses would also be announced today.

The educator clutched a bundle of report cards.

Anxiety gripped the disciples. Mo Hua started off unconcerned, but the tension among his classmates soon infected him too.

Before long, Mo Hua obtained his evaluation.

True to form, he shone in array formations with the top mark of 'A'. In Tongxian Sect, few attained such excellence in arrays, and Mo Hua ranked among them.

His cultivation earned a 'B', not due to laziness but his average aptitudes. Possessing a common Five Elements spiritual root, his advancement faced limitations.

For disciplines reliant on persistent study, such as Dao History or Qi Cultivation Principles, he secured 'A's as well. Yet, for areas demanding spirit stone-bought resources, like pill concoction or talisman crafting, his scores ranged from 'B's to 'C's.

Hailing from humble origins, Mo Hua couldn't procure a suitable alchemy furnace. His results in these fields hinged on chance and varied widely.

Nevertheless, his overall achievement proved impressive. As the proverb states, 'a single strength can eclipse numerous weaknesses.' Mastering the challenging craft of array formations was a remarkable accomplishment.

The educator offered a short address then exited briefly. Whispers erupted among the disciples as they eyed one another's scores.

'Mo Hua, another 'A' in arrays for you!' a disciple murmured, having glimpsed Mo Hua's card.

'Yet another 'A'...'

'I always receive a 'B'...'

'Mine's a 'C'...'

'Arrays are incredibly tough; my head throbs just recalling them...'

Gradually, the disciples gathered near Mo Hua.

'Hmph!' A Qian family disciple clad in a silver-white robe snorted in displeasure,

'What's impressive about that? It's merely the basic sect arrays that earn an 'A'.'

'What score did you achieve?' another disciple questioned.

'Why reveal it to you?' the Qian disciple replied with scorn.

Someone else peeked at his marks and burst into guffaws, 'He scored a 'C'!'

Laughter filled the chamber.

'Scoring a 'C' while mocking an 'A'—truly shameless!'

'Face thicker than forge iron!'

'Despite his Qian lineage, he's less sharp than I; I managed a 'B'.'

The Qian disciple flushed with fury and shot back, 'An 'A' means little! Without guidance from a true Array Master, you commoners grasp nothing!'

Gesturing at Mo Hua and the rest, he mocked, 'You all are mere well-bottom frogs, lacking heritage—you'll never, mark my words, never forge a genuine Array Master. If it's unclear, I'll say it again.'

'Commoners have no place as Array Masters!'

Silence descended on the surrounding disciples.

Mo Hua regarded him with pitying foolishness, then rose, offered a polite bow to the figure behind the Qian disciple, and greeted,

'Greetings, educator!'

The Qian disciple froze rigidly, discovering the educator positioned directly behind him, expression thunderous.

'The sect exists for learning and growth, not your trivial rivalries and insults!'

'You fail even at fundamental arrays, yet dare ridicule classmates?'

'Now, stand outside in penalty until sunset.'

'Recopy the basic Five Elements Array diagrams one hundred times. Present them to me upon next year's classes. If unable, don't return...'

The Qian disciple paled, yet bit back any protest.

With his elevated status, the educator could punish even Qian family's main lineage scions, let alone this minor kin.

Grudgingly, the Qian disciple proceeded to his punishment station.

The educator approached Mo Hua, paused quietly, then placed a hand on his slender shoulder and exhaled, 'Ignore the naysayers; concentrate on your studies.'

Mo Hua's face remained serene as he bowed deferentially to the educator, 'This disciple shall follow your advice.'

The educator inclined his head, returned to his desk, issued additional directives, then declared the annual sect holiday, dismissing all to their homes.

The disciples, scarcely holding back their glee, paid respects to the educator, expressing gratitude for the year's cultivation tutelage, then dispersed in all directions like startled fowl.

The sect entered vacation, filling the disciples with delight.

Mo Hua observed their joy, his spirit weighed down.

These young Qi cultivation stage disciples, mostly innocent and lighthearted, remained oblivious to a cultivator's true struggles.

Recalling his father's demon-hunting wounds and his mother's fatigued features, Mo Hua's chest tightened, prompting a heavy sigh.

Achieving ranked Array Master status lay far off, but through his abilities, he aimed to ease his parents' burdens.

Clutching his grade sheet and twelve spirit stones, Mo Hua departed Tongxian Sect, bypassing home in favor of the marketplace.