Arrays of Immortality

Chapter 16: Qi Refining Stage, Level Three

After entering Tongxian Sect, Mo Hua began his new year of life in the sect. Tongxian Sect is a first-grade sect, the lowest rank in the cultivation world.

The ranking system among cultivation sects is strict.

When a sect is first established, it must be graded by the Dao Court through rigorous assessment. The evaluation considers the sect's assets, the mountains it occupies, the depth of its heritage, the moral character of the sect master, the cultivation level and number of elders and teachers, and the number of disciples it can accommodate.

The process of upgrading a sect's rank is even more difficult. It requires several high-level cultivators to remain in the sect for a certain period before applying for an upgrade at the Dao Court's Tianquan Pavilion. This process takes years of preparation, as well as significant manpower, resources, and connections.

In the Tongxian Sect, only the old sect master is a Foundation Establishment cultivator, which is far from the requirement for a second-grade sect. It is unlikely the sect will meet the conditions for an upgrade even within the next hundred years.

The sect's property consists of only three peaks: Tongling Peak, Tongxuan Peak, and Tongming Peak.

On Tongling Peak, the early-stage Qi Refining disciples (Levels 1–3) live and cultivate. On Tongxuan Peak are the mid-stage Qi Refining disciples (Levels 4–6) and a few late-stage Qi Refining disciples (Levels 7–9). These advanced disciples are few in number, so they are accommodated on Tongxuan Peak as well.

The inner sect disciples, personal disciples, sect master, elders, and teachers reside on Tongming Peak.

It is said there used to be another peak, Tongxian Peak, exclusively for the sect master and elders. However, due to mismanagement and financial difficulties, the sect had to sell it.

Every generation of sect masters has vowed to reclaim Tongxian Peak, but this ambition remains unfulfilled to this day.

Each peak divides its disciples into four classes: A, B, C, and D. The higher the class, the more talented and prioritized the disciples are.

Class A recruits so-called "Heaven's favored children," who have excellent spiritual roots, talent, and quick progress in cultivation. However, those with strong relationships with sect elders or those who donate a significant number of spirit stones can also enter Class A.

Class B consists of disciples with average spiritual roots but decent talent, perseverance, and good performance.

Class C includes disciples with average roots, talent, and achievements. Class D is reserved for those with the poorest roots and results, who mostly just idle their days away.

Mo Hua was placed in Class B, as his spiritual roots were ordinary, but he was diligent and performed well overall.

At the second level of the Qi Refining Stage, Mo Hua lived and cultivated on Tongling Peak, where the majority of Tongxian Sect's disciples reside.

For even the poorest cultivators, sending a child to a sect for basic cultivation training is a must. It at least builds a foundation and prevents them from being completely ignorant of the cultivation world. Therefore, most disciples on Tongling Peak are early-stage Qi Refining disciples.

Whether one can continue beyond the mid-Qi Refining stage depends on two factors: personal talent and family wealth.

Some families of rogue cultivators simply cannot afford the cost and must have their children drop out. These children end up learning weapon crafting, doing odd jobs, or hunting beasts to barely make a living. After all, the annual tuition of one hundred spirit stones is no small amount. If a family tries to push through, they might starve before their child has achieved anything.

Even fewer disciples make it to the late stages of Qi Refining.

Mo Hua noticed that some familiar fellow disciples were missing. Upon inquiry, he learned they had dropped out due to financial difficulties and family hardships.

Cultivation knowledge is vast and complex, and without proper guidance, the number of detours one might take is unimaginable. Dropping out during early Qi Refining makes any significant advancement nearly impossible without a major stroke of luck.

Mo Hua sighed softly, feeling some pity for them. However, his own circumstances weren't much better, so he didn't have much time for lamenting.

Mo Hua attended lessons, cultivated diligently, and painted formation arrays in his spare time, leading a busy yet fulfilling life.

A few months later, without even realizing it, Mo Hua broke through to the third level of the Qi Refining Stage.

For cultivators in the Qi Refining Stage, progress relies heavily on persistence and accumulation. As long as one cultivates daily, spends spirit stones wisely, and remains consistent, breakthroughs occur naturally.

However, for rogue cultivators, spirit stones are always in short supply.

Small-stage breakthroughs rely on accumulation, while mid-stage breakthroughs require overcoming bottlenecks. These bottlenecks necessitate rare spiritual materials or pills.

Major breakthroughs, such as advancing from Qi Refining to Foundation Establishment, are often determined by fate. For most low-level cultivators, this gap is insurmountable.

Each breakthrough offers cultivators immense benefits.

At the third level of Qi Refining, Mo Hua felt his spiritual power become more abundant, and his spiritual awareness had naturally strengthened.

The Bright Flame Array, which had previously exhausted him, now felt effortless to draw. He didn't even need much rest afterward.

Though he had expected this improvement, Mo Hua was still thrilled.

No wonder so many cultivators endure the dullness of daily cultivation, fixated on advancing. The simple, pure joy that follows months of effort is truly rewarding.

At ten years old, with a cultivation at the third level of Qi Refining, Mo Hua's performance in Class B was considered above average.

Reaching the third level also meant it was time for Mo Hua to choose a cultivation method.

One day, after class, Instructor Yan called several third-level disciples to stay behind, including Mo Hua.

Instructor Yan got straight to the point:

"This task usually belongs to Instructor Zhou, but he's feeling unwell, so I'm stepping in to talk about cultivation methods."

"A cultivator's strength fundamentally depends on their spiritual power. Whether you're a body cultivator or spiritual cultivator, whether you craft arrays, pills, or tools, spiritual power is essential. Those with strong spiritual power are superior; those without are not. The root of a cultivator's power lies in their cultivation method."

"Your spiritual roots determine the type of cultivation method you should practice. The right method can greatly benefit your future path. Even with inferior roots, a suitable method can extend your journey. However, if you have excellent roots but choose the wrong method, you might as well abandon the path to immortality."

"Whether your roots are good or bad, choosing a cultivation method must be done with the utmost care…"

"Cultivation methods…" Mo Hua repeated softly to himself.

Mo Hua had mid-grade, lower-tier Five Elements spiritual roots. Compared to his peers in Tongxian City, this put him in the lower-middle tier.

He wondered what kind of cultivation method would suit someone like him.

(End of Chapter)

Note:

Together, these names—Tongling, Tongxuan, Tongming and Tongxian— represent a progression in cultivation:

1. Tongling: Connecting with the spirit or mystical forces.

2. Tongxuan: Achieving profound, esoteric knowledge.

3. Tongming: Reaching clarity, enlightenment, or ultimate understanding.

4.Tongxian: Connect with immortals or Achieve immortality