Formation Sect
To say there were a variety of cultivators on Third Continent would be an understatement. Howbeit, two particular sects bestowed prestige unlike any other. One of said two sects was Pill Cauldron Sects. The prestige and benefits alchemists enjoyed were self-explanatory. The other sect was Formation Sect. Their niches made them desirable and versatile assets.
The difference between alchemists and formation casters was that the latter tended to be berated the most owing to their short-burst combat style. Generally speaking, stalling until the caster was exhausted to finish them was all that it took. Alchemists, in contrast, could use pills to produce instantaneous results in more ways than one, ranging from healing, defence and offence.
Because the investment required to develop formation casters exceeded reasonable standards, sects had to resort to hiring formation casters for tasks such as casting barriers to protect something or someone. Nobody would want to trust a run-of-the-mill formation caster to protect their valuables or city. In essence, they were respected in person and trashed behind their backs.
There were two schools that taught formations at Third Continent. Formation Sect specialised in traditional formations, and their members were called formation casters. The other school was Talisman Sect. Talisman Sect imbued formations into talismans and used talismans to execute techniques, hence the name talisman master. Talisman Sect preferred to term their style talisman techniques to distinguish themselves from formation techniques. Formation casters were mainstream, while talisman masters weren’t so well known.
Formation Sect was located at a remote valley shrouded in mist so dense and widespread that flying didn’t help. Entering without a disciple directing was the quickest way to get lost. As expected of a famous sect, their territory was enormous.
Formation Sect adopted a simple qualifying system for hopefuls wishing to enrol. There was a formation at the entrance of the misty valley. If they could solve three of the eight hexagrams, they were accepted. The formation was called Formation Gate since it was the gatekeeper. As it was common for people to end up lost in the formation, Formation Gate only allowed passage to those qualifying.
Disciples of Formation Sect were ranked into three categories: Lesser Heaven Stage, Heaven Stage and Greater Heaven Stage. The categories were aptitude designators, Greater Heaven Stage being those with the highest aptitude and Lesser Heaven Stage being those with the lowest aptitude. Those able to solve three hexagrams were ranked as Lesser Heaven Stage disciples. Those able to solve four to five hexagrams were ranked as Heaven Stage disciples. Those able to solve six to eight hexagrams were ranked as Greater Heaven Stage disciples. Needless to say, the nature of tasks delegated to each rank differed.
In the millennium or so Formation Sect had existed, the number of Greater Heaven Stage disciples had always been far and few between. Those who were of Greater Heaven Stage disciples always went on to become pillars of the sect. In its entire history, Chen Tiandao was the only individual to solve all eight hexagrams.
The greater one’s aptitude the more resources and effort was dedicated to developing them.
There were two sentries assigned to Formation Gate daily. This hot and humid afternoon was no exception.
“Nobody has attempted to join in three months, yeah?” Zhang Bing, a Lesser Heaven Stage disciple, asked, yawning.
“Who cares? It’s been a year since we recruited any disciples via the formation test. As for Greater Heaven Stage disciples, it’s been ten years since we’ve had one. I heard Formation Caster Liao brought back a talented Heaven Stage disciple last month and was rewarded handsomely. The Greater Heaven Stage formation masters have their balls in knots right now,” informed Fan Wen, envious.
“Senior Broth Mu Chenghong is a Greater Heaven Stage disciple.”
“Not as if that changes our standing.”
Rumble! The two sentries looked over to see a young man, ordinary in appearance but contradictorily imposing.
“Is he going to attempt the eight hexagrams?” Zhan Bing remarked, seeking an answer with a gander Fan Wen’s way.
“He’s only a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator and looks, what, twenty already? Do we even accept students that old?”
“No. In principle, twenty and under only. He should fit our requirements – minus the age part. I don’t think he’ll receive much tutelage given his cultivation level.”
The new disciples of Formation Sect were never over sixteen. Youth was capital. Plus, the sooner one started the journey, the more they stood to benefit. Their disciples were also cultivators, so they cultivated spiritual energy in addition to mastering formations. Given the challenger’s age, he most probably spent most of his time on cultivation.
“I’ll go give him a heads up.” Fan Wen headed to Formation Gate.
Mu Yu scanned Formation Gate and spaced out. He learnt about Formation Sect’s recruitment process from Ku Mu back in the day and made enquires pertaining to their situation prior to coming. To avoid raising suspicion, he suppressed his cultivation and manipulated his face.
“Hey, you don’t meet the age cut off!”
“I heard you only recruit disciples under the age of twenty. As I am only nineteen, I meet the age requirement,” responded Mu Yu.
“Hmph.” Fan Wan ran his eyes up and down Mu Yu. “You’re rather old, yet your cultivation is lagging behind. You won’t achieve much even if you join us. I suggest you go home.”
“Never know until you try. Besides, did an elder tell you to stop me?”
“I doubt you’d even solve the first hexagram. You need to solve three to pass,” grouched Fan Wen.
“Since an elder didn’t tell you to stop me and I meet the requirements, I am qualified to enter.” Mu Yu strolled on through Formation Gate.
“Fine, tough guy!”
Zhan Bing greeted his returning buddy with a smile. “What happened? Did he give up?”
“I’ll show him up when he becomes a Lesser Heaven Stage disciple.”
Zhan Bing knew Fan Wen was petty. Still, he said, “Don’t go getting on his bad side. What happens if he’s a Heaven Stage or Greater Heaven Stage disciple? You don’t want it to come back to bite you.”
“Greater Heaven Stage disciple? Him? They don’t even belong in the same sentence.”
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