"Our predecessors established the discussions and sword trials to unite disciples, to consolidate their hearts and strength, and to improve their cultivation and Taoist skills!" 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂 "But now, what has it become?" "What discussions, what sword trials? They’ve degenerated into a means of comparisons and profiteering!" "Noble Clans, to make noise for their so-called ’Pride of Heaven’, engage in deceit, empty displays, and grand posturing..." "Even Sects add fuel to the flames, allowing the effort of one to be touted as the achievement of all!" "If this continues, the disciples taught will all be selfish, arrogant, and look down on others!" "They may have cultivation, but they lack the Taoist Heart!" "And the Cultivators from other, less prominent Noble Clans? They will become nothing more than the Noble Clans’ Hawk Dogs, the claws and teeth of the powerful!" "Is this considered proper transmission of the Taoist Way?" "Is this the kind of disciple we produce in the Qian Taoist Sect?" "These disciples, selfish and profit-driven, may have high cultivation, but they are heavy with personal desires. With their prominent positions, they scheme for their own interests and those of their Clans, holding themselves aloof, sucking the blood of Cultivators across the Nine State. If this continues, what will become of the multitudes within the Cultivation World?" Elder Shen’s expression changed, his tone sarcastic, "Elder Zheng is overreacting. Isn’t Qian State still thriving as such?" Elder Zheng’s gaze was sharp as a sword, "Qian State is thriving, but it’s the Noble Clans that are thriving." "The Noble Clans are splendid and colorful, but have you not seen? The entire Nine State is riddled with wounds..." "The Qian Taoist Sect is ’Helping the tyrant,’ assisting the Noble Clans in monopolizing power, ruling supreme over all, seizing the profits of the world for themselves. This is the injustice of the Great Dao..." Elder Shen was indifferent, as if he had heard nothing. Elder Zheng became furiously indignant, then after a moment, spoke lightly: "The Heavenly Dao takes from the excess to supplement the insufficient..." "When the ways of man are unjust, the Heavenly Dao will... forcefully transform..." Elder Shen felt a chill rushing to his crown, shivering uncontrollably, and with his eyes wide open, he screamed, "How daring!" "You..." Pointing at Elder Zheng with trembling fingers, he thundered, "Arrogance!" "Ignorance!" "Absurdity!" "Your words... are worthy of death!" Elder Zheng was expressionless. Elder Shen calmed his rage and shock, looking coldly at Elder Zheng, "Elder Zheng, please watch your words. Continue with such nonsense, and our Qian Taoist Sect may not tolerate such an extreme Elder like you..." Elder Zheng snorted coldly, his bearing stern and unmoved. ... Outside the Qian Taoist Sect. Mo Hua began his own plan to seek learning. Since the Qian Taoist Sect would not accept him, he would have to find a way to be accepted by another Sect. Mo Hua specifically bought a clearer Map. The boundary of Qian Xue State was vast; there were many Sects, and around those Sects, there were quite a few small and large Immortal Cities dependent on them. These Immortal Cities, adjacent to the Sects, rose by depending on them. The cities were well-equipped, catering to Cultivators for buying and selling, dining, accommodation, and some Cultivators lived there too. These Immortal Cities appeared similar to the Li State City outside the Five Elements Sect but were much more formal. They prohibited extensive Earth and Wood construction to avoid complicating interests and disturbing the peace of the Sects. To reach various Sects, one necessarily had to pass through the Immortal Cities outside them. Within the cities, there were also some large carriages that followed set routes, passing by the Immortal Cities on the outskirts of each Sect. The carriage fees were somewhat expensive but within Mo Hua’s means. Mo Hua began carefully planning his route. After planning, he proceeded systematically, applying to all of the "Four Great Sects" except for the Qian Taoist Sect, submitting his place of origin and resume. Though the prospects were dim, one must always try. Starting with the best, Mo Hua planned to send applications one after another. It was just a matter of whether he could luck into an opportunity. But his resume, without exception, was rejected by all. Find adventures on freewebnovel This was within Mo Hua’s expectations. He was slightly disheartened for a moment, starting to target the "Eight Great Gates" that came after the "Four Great Sects". The Eight Great Gates were indeed many, totaling eight. And they were somewhat far apart; unable to cover them all in one route, Mo Hua could only choose a few to tentatively submit applications to, just to test the waters. And as expected, they were also all rejected. The reasons, without exception, were the same—"Unfit Spiritual Root"... The Four Great Sects and the Eight Great Gates all required at least a Superior Spiritual Root. A few of the Four Great Sects were already asking for "Superior to Middle Grade" Spiritual Roots. "In a few years, they probably won’t accept anything less than the ’Superior Superior Grade’..." Mo Hua muttered resentfully to himself. The "Eight Great Gates" were a bit more lenient but still demanded at least both superior and inferior Spiritual Roots, which were beyond Mo Hua’s reach. If the "Eight Great Gates" weren’t an option, then it had to be the "Twelve Streams"... Mo Hua thought silently to himself. Among the Twelve Streams, there had to be a few Sects that specialized in Formation, right? With his level of expertise in Formation, he should have some hope. What Mo Hua didn’t expect, however, was that he was still being refused... "Young Master, your Spiritual Root... is still lacking..." An Instructor in charge of welcoming new members at the Ten Thousand Formations Sect told Mo Hua with a tinge of regret. He felt such a pity deep down. Just now, he had asked Mo Hua several questions about Formation, and Mo Hua had answered them all smoothly. Not only that but some of his insights were astonishing. He then had Mo Hua draw a few Formation Patterns. Those masterful Formation Patterns, his effortless arrangement, the composure of his strokes, and that air, vaguely reminiscent of a Formation Master Elder, almost made him doubt his eyes. Such an air could only be possessed by a Formation Master Elder within the Sect. Yet Mo Hua looked youthful, his demeanor genuine, appearing to be only about fifteen or sixteen years old. The Instructor found it highly improbable yet extremely regretful. "Our Ten Thousand Formations Sect also requires a Superior Spiritual Root for admission. If one is a first-grade Formation Master, we could relax the requirements to a Superior to Middle Grade Spiritual Root..."