"This is an invitation from Lanling Sect, a Second Grade Sect within the Lanling State Boundary." Master Luo said, "Lanling Sect is a well-known Sect within the Lanling State Boundary. It has Golden Core cultivators within its ranks and is just a bit of time away from becoming a Third Grade Sect. The Formation heritage... is not bad." Master Luo originally wanted to say "The Formation heritage is profound," but thinking of the unnamed, unfathomable Formation Master behind Mo Hua, he found the word "profound" difficult to utter, so he could only say "is not bad." "Lanling Sect was established on the mastery of Formations, and the ambience of Formation arts is especially strong there. It doesn’t have as many entanglements and power struggles as other Sects do." Master Luo continued, "I have some connections with them, and it just so happens that I am also going to join Lanling Sect. So, I took the liberty of recommending Mr. Little Mo, and I hope Mr. Little Mo won’t take offense." Mo Hua quickly waved his hands and said, "You are too kind, Master Luo." Master Luo then handed the invitation to Mo Hua, "Mr. Little Mo, please take a look." Mo Hua politely accepted the invitation. The invitation paper was unknown, elegant, and exquisitely crafted, with text written in gold-flecked ink. Mo Hua opened the invitation and glanced over the document. The invitation was concise and courteously phrased. Its main intent was to invite Mo Hua to Lanshan Sect to serve as an Instructor and, upon breaking through to Foundation Establishment, he would be eligible to become an Elder. It was a highly formal official document of invitation from the Sect, not just some private agreement. This was quite a solemn offer. Mo Hua held the hefty invitation in his hand and could not help but frown. Seeing Mo Hua’s expression, Master Luo hastily added, "Mr. Little Mo, don’t be hasty in rejecting it." Mo Hua was startled, "I haven’t said I’d reject it yet..." "And don’t be in a rush to accept, either." Mo Hua was even more puzzled, "Master Luo..." 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺 Master Luo smiled slightly, "Everything is up for negotiation..." Master Luo was adept in the ways of the world, capable of adapting to all situations, and he had a very precise grasp on the intricacies involved. "If Mr. Little Mo is considering accepting, I could negotiate the terms with them further." Master Luo elaborated to Mo Hua, "Within the Sect, not all Instructors are the same, just as not all Elders are the same. Even though the titles are identical, the actual authority and status can differ widely." "The invitation doesn’t spell it out, but the positions of Instructor and Elder mentioned there are likely with the Outer Gate, which in terms of authority and treatment, does not compare to the Inner Gate." "Some fringe Guest Elders might not even hold a higher status than a well-established Inner Sect Instructor." Master Luo looked at Mo Hua and said softly: "Mr. Little Mo, your biggest disadvantage is actually your status as a Loose Cultivator." "As a Loose Cultivator, you are an ’outsider’ to the Sects, not ’one of their own.’ Even if the upper echelons of Lanshan Sect treat you well, some of the Disciples and Formation Masters below will still be resentful..." "Do all the Sects in this world exclude outsiders?" Mo Hua inquired. "It’s not just the Sects in this world, but all people in this world that are exclusionary..." Master Luo said. "In such cases, what’s the best course of action?" Mo Hua asked earnestly. He wasn’t actually keen on joining Lanshan Sect. He was just genuinely curious and wanted to hear Master Luo’s perspective. Master Luo himself didn’t care whether Mo Hua truly wanted to join the Sect. Mo Hua’s willingness to ask him questions met his expectations. Mo Hua asked, and he answered. That counted as a favor, even if not a big one, and it could win him some favor in Mo Hua’s eyes. Master Luo patiently said: "The best approach is not to become an Outer Gate Instructor. Instead, you should join the Inner Gate outright, accept some grievances, and start as an Inner Sect Disciple." "With Mr. Little Mo’s talent in Formations, soon no one in the Inner Gate would be able to teach you anything new. In time, it would naturally be your turn to teach others. If you belong to the Inner Gate and have the capacity to instruct others, you would naturally become an Inner Gate Instructor." "At that time, various branches within Lanshan Sect will certainly try to win you over. You can choose one branch and show some goodwill, or you can choose none and simply focus on studying Formations." "Formation mastery is the foundation of your standing. As long as your Formation skills are unparalleled, you’ll possess a transcendent status, and no one would dare to offend you." "Once you reach Foundation Establishment and become a Sect Elder, you’ll be a powerful figure." "Besides, you are still so young. Even the Sect Leader of Lanshan Sect would try every means possible to win you over. Not just Lanshan Sect, but all renowned Cultivators within the Lanling State Boundary will give you some due regard..." Talking it through, Master Luo clicked his tongue, envying such a position in his heart. A renowned Formation Master in the area... Unfortunately, he didn’t have the strength, the talent, nor the chance for such treatment. "What if I don’t want to join the Inner Gate?" Mo Hua asked. Master Luo was not surprised; in fact, he understood: "Joining the Inner Gate means binding yourself to Lanshan Sect with many restrictions. If someday you want to leave or seek higher opportunities elsewhere, Lanshan Sect will surely not let you go easily, which could instead lead to enmity..." While others might desperately seek to be taken into Lanshan Sect’s Inner Gate, Master Luo knew it didn’t include Mo Hua. He understood the extent of Mo Hua’s talent. Although Lanshan Sect was a major force within the Third-Grade State Boundary, in the grand scheme of the Cultivation World, it wasn’t much. Lanshan Sect’s pond might not be able to contain Mo Hua. Master Luo continued: "If you don’t wish to enter Lanshan Sect’s Inner Gate but only seek temporary shelter, or wish to use Lanshan Sect as a springboard for pursuing a higher position..." "Then it’s best to start as an Outer Gate Instructor and then become a Guest Elder. But you can push for more conditions and better treatment." "But if you do so, there’s no need to get overly close to the Inner Gate of the Lanshan Sect, at least don’t take the initiative to get close." Mo Hua was somewhat confused, "Shouldn’t we forge good relationships?" Master Luo shook his head, "If you’re too close, they’ll perceive it as disrespect; too distant, and it’s considered ingratiating. You don’t need to deliberately alienate them, nor do you need to deliberately get close." "If you distance yourself from the Inner Gate, it will lead to their enmity; if you get close to the Inner Gate, it will lead them to look down on you. Even if they don’t say it out loud, they will look down on you in their hearts." "Just focus on learning the Formation, try not to cause any troubles, be transcendental, and thus you won’t offend anyone." "What if the Lanshan Sect gets involved in infighting, and I’m forced to take sides?" asked Mo Hua, seeking guidance from Master Luo. "That depends on the situation," Master Luo said. "Depends on what situation?" Master Luo spoke thoughtfully: "It depends on whether you want to continue staying, who is pressuring you, whether their methods are excessive, and if it touches upon your principles." "If it’s trivial, you can tolerate it appropriately. If the other party acts outrageously, then you can resign directly, using it as leverage." "Will that work?" Mo Hua was surprised. "It may not work for others," Master Luo silently added to himself, "like me..." "But it will definitely work for you!" Looking at Mo Hua, Master Luo continued: "The point remains the same, as long as your Formation drawing is good, you’ll be in demand wherever you go. If you offer to resign, it’s they who will be afraid..." "One is that skilled Formation Masters are truly rare and difficult to recruit; second, if others find out that they’ve driven a Formation Master to resign through their overt and covert battles, then the Lanshan Sect will lose its dignity, and their reputation will suffer. Therefore, they won’t dare to go too far..." Mo Hua nodded, then discovered a problem: "Master Luo, didn’t you say that the Lanshan Sect doesn’t have that much ’entanglement of interests and intrigue’? What you’re telling me now seems like you’re teaching me how to ’scheme’..." Master Luo was at a loss for words; in speaking back and forth, he inadvertently contradicted his own statements. Master Luo smiled awkwardly and could only say: "There aren’t that many, but as long as there are people, intrigue is inevitable." Mo Hua also smiled, knowing that what Master Luo said was the truth. He pondered for a moment and became somewhat hesitant. Going to the Lanshan Sect seemed like a good choice, but Mo Hua always felt that this shouldn’t be the path he chose for himself. Master Luo added, "Little Mo Gentleman, if you go to the Lanshan Sect, your honored father and mother can also go with you. The Lanshan Sect has agreed to give them positions within the sect. Although not very prestigious, they are leisurely and good positions." Mo Hua was stunned, then became somewhat tempted. He didn’t want his parents to suffer; being able to enter a sect and have a stable position also means they can enjoy some blessings. "What about other Loose Cultivators from Tongxian City?" Master Luo sighed, "Little Mo Gentleman, I’ll tell you the truth, and you might not like to hear it..." "The fate of other Loose Cultivators is not something we can consider. If we can take care of ourselves, that’s already good enough." "Moreover, even though you are a Loose Cultivator, you... are actually not really considered a Loose Cultivator anymore." "If you are willing, there will be plenty of sects to recruit you, numerous clans to ingratiate themselves with you. Your status and position are already different from other Loose Cultivators." "In times of great disaster, Loose Cultivators only have one way out, uncertain and full of thorns..." "But Little Mo Gentleman, you are different; you have many possibilities, and whichever path you take, it’s very promising..." Fluctuating emotions swept over Mo Hua, who fell silent for a long while and said nothing, his gaze gradually lowering. Master Luo observed Mo Hua’s expression, and seeing that he wasn’t angry, he finally put his mind at ease. These words carried the suspicion of "sowing discord." And his saying them did indeed have ulterior motives. In his eyes, Mo Hua was very important, far more so than other Loose Cultivators; while he had sympathy for the fate of other Loose Cultivators, it was not something he took to heart. However, what Mo Hua chose mattered a great deal to him. He hoped that Mo Hua would have a future as bright as brocade, a smooth path ahead, and one day become a Formation Master renowned throughout the region. In this way, he too could "cling to a powerful thigh" and make further progress in the Formation. As for other matters, he was just a common Formation Master, who had neither the time nor the ability to concern himself with them. "Little Mo Gentleman, you can take some more time to think it over. If you’re willing to go to the Lanshan Sect, I will talk to them and strive for better treatment for you." "If you’re not willing, it’s also no matter; I’ll say some kind words and tactfully decline on your behalf." Master Luo was very thorough in his considerations. Mo Hua nodded and thanked him, "Thank you, Master Luo, for your efforts. Regardless of the outcome, I’ll remember this favor." Outwardly humble, Master Luo said, "It’s just a small effort; you are too kind, Little Mo Gentleman." Internally, he heaved a sigh of relief. If Mo Hua went to the Lanshan Sect, and he was the intermediary, it meant he had rendered a great service; if Mo Hua didn’t go, he would still remember his goodwill. No matter what, he would have done a good deed, and his thoughtfulness would not have been in vain.