The Quest for Immortality

Sect Leader Liao asked, ”You mean to say...”

The Chief Elder mused, ”The Taoist Court’s assessment has a limited number of quotas, and the waters can run deep or shallow.”

”In some remote areas, where Formation Masters are scarce, the assessment standards are looser, and the quality of Formation Masters might be lacking.”

”And then there are the sons and daughters of certain clans, young cultivators, who for the sake of being known as a genius, pull strings using their connections, and even if their standards fall short, they are guaranteed a First Grade.”

”Such First Graders often contain even more watered-down ability.”

Sect Leader Liao frowned, ”Are you saying that Junior Formation Master surnamed Mo is one of these First Grade Formation Masters?”

The Chief Elder nodded slowly, ”Even if he didn’t take any shortcuts, he was most likely given a First Grade in some backwater small place.”

The Chief Elder continued, ”It’s different for our Five Elements Sect.”

”Within the Dali Mountain State Boundary, there are many sects that are established based on the Formation, and this place was once a stronghold for Formations. Even though times have changed, the foundation still exists, and there are many Formation Masters.”

”To be assessed in this state boundary is extremely difficult!”

”Even achieving a First Grade feels as arduous as ascending to heaven.”

”Because for assessment, you don’t compete with cultivators of your age, but with all Qi Refinement, and even some Foundation Establishment Formation Masters; it’s merit-based.”

”Others have been cultivating for longer than you, their Divine Sense is stronger, having immersed themselves in Formation for many years, drawing more Formations than you, how can these ordinary disciples compare?”

”So it’s normal that they are not assessed.”

”At the same time, don’t think that just because they are not assessed, their Formation skills are insufficient.”

”Placed in some Little Immortal City or Second-Grade Prefecture Border, they would already be genuine First Grade Formation Masters.”

”Therefore, some disciples within our sect who haven’t been assessed might not necessarily be weaker in Formation strength than that little disciple of Mr. Zhuang who has already achieved a First Grade!”

Chief Elder’s words were well-founded, making Sect Leader Liao see the light.

Sect Leader Liao praised, ”Worthy of our Chief Elder, so thorough in your considerations!”

”With this understanding, that First Grade Junior Formation Master isn’t necessarily as brilliant, Maybe he was just lucky to be assessed...”

Sect Leader Liao pondered again, ”Indeed, although talent is important for a Formation Master, proficiency comes with practice, and diligence can compensate for lack of skill. That Junior Formation Master is just around a teenager; even if he started drawing Formations from the womb and did so every day without rest, how many Formations could he possibly have drawn?”

”With so few Formation drawings, his comprehension would naturally be shallow.”

”No matter how high his talent is, without rigorous practice, it is ultimately as untenable as a castle in the sky.”

This struck a chord with the Chief Elder.

The Chief Elder nodded in agreement but also cautioned, ”However, we shouldn’t be careless. Even when catching rabbits, a lion uses all its strength. We mustn’t underestimate him...”

Sect Leader Liao bowed and said, ”The Chief Elder is absolutely right.”

Following that, he frowned, ”The Junior Formation Master is easy to deal with, but his senior brothers and sisters...”

Thinking of the pair of siblings with profound cultivation and unmatched Spiritual Roots, appearing almost celestial in their bearing, the Chief Elder’s expression also turned gravely serious. 𐍂ΆꞐǑ𝖇Ęŝ

After a moment, the Chief Elder sighed and said slowly, ”In that case, we will have to seek assistance...”

”Assistance?”

The Chief Elder nodded, ”In the Dali Mountain State Boundary, many Formation Sects and clans have close relations with our Five Elements Sect. Among them, there are quite a few talented individuals with an exceptional aptitude for Formations. We can borrow their support to bolster our presence and take the wind out of that person’s sails!”

”Can they win against that pair of siblings?”

”By gathering the entire Dali Mountain State Boundary’s Formation Genius, there should be no problem...”

Sect Leader Liao nodded but couldn’t help but ask curiously:

”But can they win against Mr. Zhuang from back then?”

The Chief Elder snorted coldly, ”Don’t even think about it; no matter how talented they are, they can’t hope to beat that man...”

The Chief Elder’s gaze filled with fear as he was forced to admit,

”How many like Mr. Zhuang exist in this world?”

Sect Leader Liao still hesitated, ”Won’t it be obvious?” Enjoy exclusive content from

The Chief Elder shook his head, ”They are guests from afar, not members of the Five Elements Sect. How could anyone discern whether they are our disciples?”

”Then, can we really persuade these talents?”

”Just offer them benefits.”

”The cost won’t be small...”

”If a problem can be solved with Spirit Stones, it’s not a problem.”

Sect Leader Liao winced at the cost but still nodded.

With the planning completed, the Chief Elder also breathed a sigh of relief and said coldly,

”At the Tao Discussion Meeting, when it comes to comparing Formations, if those disciples under that man cannot surpass our cultivators of the Five Elements Sect, with his arrogant nature, he probably won’t have the effrontery to request learning our Ultimate Formation...”

Sect Leader Liao was still not entirely reassured:

”Such an obvious scheme, will that man agree?”

The Chief Elder sneered, ”If he wants his disciples to learn the Formations of our Five Elements Sect, he will have to agree!”

”We haven’t refused; we’ve just made a fair and reasonable request.”

”If they can’t win against the disciples of the Five Elements Sect, what right do they have to learn the Ultimate Formation of the Five Elements Sect?”

”In other words, if they can’t win against the disciples of the Five Elements Sect, even if they went to learn the Ultimate Formation, they would certainly be unable to master it!”

”By saying this, I’m saving both our times; it’s for the good of the Five Elements Sect as well as his...”

...

The Chief Elder put on a righteous façade.

But in his heart, Sect Leader Liao sneered.

The older they get, the thicker their skins become.

It’s only because the Five Elements Sect has these old, scheming parasites that it has been gradually declining.

However, he had no other options in this matter.

Just he didn’t know whether Mr. Zhuang would agree...

Feeling uneasy, Sect Leader Liao went to see Mr. Zhuang to explain the situation.

Unexpectedly, Mr. Zhuang was not surprised, nor did he show anger; he remained indifferent and nodded,

”Good!”

Sect Leader Liao felt relieved.

Agreement boded well.

At least he had an explanation to provide.

But the more he observed Mr. Zhuang, the more inscrutable and mysterious he seemed to be.

He simply could not fathom what Mr. Zhuang was truly thinking or planning...

...

After Sect Leader Liao took his leave, Mr. Zhuang called over Mo Hua and the others.

”In a few days, you will be comparing Formation skills with the disciples of the Five Elements Sect...”

”No, not you...” Mr. Zhuang looked at Mo Hua and smiled faintly, ”Mo Hua, you alone will suffice.”

Mr. Zhuang wore an expression of looking forward to a good show,

”You take the lead, and at the same time, support your senior brother and sister...”

”And also make your master proud...”