The Quest for Immortality

Mo Hua was still somewhat uncomfortable being called "Junior Brother" by a group of fellow disciples, some about the same age, others one or two years older, and some who at least appeared quite a bit older than himself.

These disciples called him "Junior Brother" awkwardly, as though they were ashamed, in hushed voices like mosquitoes, for fear of being overheard.

But this was Elder Master Xun’s intent.

Elder Master Xun, a man of great virtue and esteem, had words that even some of the True Transmission Elders of the Inner Gate dared not lightly disobey.

Let alone these newly admitted Outer Gate disciples.

However, familiarity came with repetition.

After calling him that enough times, they got used to it.

The more they said it, the more fluent they became.

But some, deep down, were still resentful.

Mo Hua didn’t take them to heart, though; he didn’t need to make much of an effort. He simply leveraged Elder Master Xun’s reputation and his authority as "Junior Brother" to assign them extra Formation homework.

These "thorn" disciples would immediately behave themselves.

A Foundation Establishment Initial Stage cultivator’s Divine Sense ranged between Ten Patterns to Thirteen Stripes.

These disciples, newly entering Foundation Establishment, mostly only had Divine Senses of Ten or Eleven Patterns. Drawing one or two Formations was bearable, but doing more was truly "excruciating."

Mo Hua drew Formations every day and thus had an exceedingly precise grasp on Divine Sense capacity.

The homework he assigned was just enough for them to manage to complete; although it was very strenuous and painful, it wouldn’t damage their Sea of Consciousness.

It was a minor lesson.

Overawed by Elder Master Xun’s authority, they dared not shirk their duties.

After Mo Hua had dealt with them in such a manner several times, no disciple dared to publicly challenge his "dignity" anymore.

Over time, Mo Hua’s identity as "Junior Brother" was gradually accepted by the disciples.

Even though he was called "Junior Brother," Mo Hua carried no airs; he treated others and went about his tasks in the same way as before.

More and more disciples began to seek Mo Hua’s advice on Formations, secretly approaching him during breaks or after class.

Some had confusion over Formations that they couldn’t clarify during lessons and were too scared to ask Elder Master Xun, so they came to ask Mo Hua instead.

Mo Hua was far more approachable than Elder Master Xun.

And when others sought instruction in Formations, Mo Hua would share everything he knew without reservation.

He still remembered Instructor Yan’s admonition:

"Formations are like water; to flourish for ages, they must be passed down…"

Selfishly hoarding knowledge would only cause Formations containing elements of the Great Dao to decay into stagnation.

Thus, Mo Hua sincerely offered his teachings to those truly eager to learn about Formations, providing complete and attentive explanations.

Having benefited from Mo Hua’s preaching, the disciples found the term "Junior Brother" even more natural to utter.

As Elder Master Xun became increasingly "lazy," Mo Hua’s teaching duties also increased, thus solidifying his relationship with his fellow sect disciples.

Their comradeship, half mentorship, and half friendship, deepened as well.

Elder Master Xun silently observed all this and felt reassured.

With these bonds, Mo Hua was gradually laying down roots within Taixu Gate.

As time went by, the bonds deepened, and his foundation grew firmer.

However, the number of people was still lacking...

Taiyi Residence had only nearly a hundred disciples, and only these nearly hundred would call Mo Hua "Junior Brother" when they attended the Formation classes together.

But there were nearly a thousand Proud Sons of Heaven in this cohort.

Those not in the same Tao Teaching Room naturally wouldn’t be taught by Mo Hua...

Elder Master Xun thought to himself:

"In the future, I must find an opportunity to have all the disciples of this cohort attend Mo Hua’s ’classes’ and call out ’Junior Brother’..."

Not a single one should be left out!

Elder Master Xun was very far-sighted.

The foundation of the Sect was people, those disciples who carried on its tradition.

The bond with the sect’s disciples was equivalent to a bond with the sect itself.

Taixu Gate, being one of the Eight Great Gates, had sect disciples who, although not as numerous as those of the Four Great Sects, were still considered elite within the states of the Cultivation World.

Having good relations with his fellow disciples, when Mo Hua eventually left the sect to traverse the world, he would naturally have a network.

All throughout the Nine State would be fellow sect members, and friends would greet him everywhere.

Being called "Junior Brother" wherever he went, his endeavors would be more convenient.

With the support of his fellow sect members, he wouldn’t forget the Sect’s bond of fellowship.

With the Sect as his backbone and the help of fellow sect members, even if he was alone in the future, he wouldn’t fear the suppression of Noble Clans or the allure of the Demon Sect.

Only then would he have the confidence to maintain his original intention, avoid deviant paths, and seek the true Great Dao...

Elder Master Xun nodded with a profound look in his eyes.

Then he seemed to remember something, furrowing his brow, realizing another issue:

"While it’s true that people are the foundation of the Sect, the Sect itself has an established tradition..."

"The rules of the Sect must still be upheld, and the disciples must be made aware of their tradition of inheritance."

"What comes too easily is often not appreciated..."

"I shouldn’t be overly partial to this boy; that could rob him of the opportunity to be tempered..."

"The necessary hardships must still be endured..."

Elder Master Xun arched his eyebrows slightly.

…

Mo Hua was unaware of Elder Master Xun’s painstaking intentions.

He was busy every day with cultivation, teaching classes, and then taking responsibility to "lecture," and in the little free time he had left, studying Formations.

Mo Hua was now learning a Formation called the "Rain Formation."

This was an Eight Trigrams Formation of the Water element, Second Grade with Fifteen Patterns, and was the most challenging Formation he had learned so far with the limit of his Divine Sense.

This Formation was also given to him by Elder Master Xun.

Elder Master Xun seemed to want Mo Hua to cultivate a kind nature and a gentle approach to Formations, so what followed were Formations of Water and Wood or Earth and Stone, those that nourish all beings and promote the industry of Tao Cultivation.