C8 Servant

Upon hearing Xu Tianzhi's declaration, a hush fell over the assembly of elders, the sect master included.

Talented cultivators were rare, but those with the aptitude for understanding array formations were even rarer. For an average Array Master, grasping a Level One Array Formation could take over a decade. Yet, here was Xu Tianzhi, barely into his twenties, mastering a Level Three Array Formation—a prodigy among prodigies.

"Xu Tianzhi, have you truly mastered a Level Three array?" Taoist Priest Huayang asked, his face etched with solemnity.

"Yes, Sect Master!" Xu Tianzhi responded, noting the gravity in the Sect Master's demeanor. He extended his finger, focusing intently, and produced a metal bead the size of an egg.

A faint spiritual energy emanated from his fingertip as he meticulously inscribed upon the bead. In a mere quarter of an hour, and to the astonishment of all present, his final stroke imbued the bead with a profound heaviness.

"A third-level gravity array; it appears you have indeed mastered a third-level formation," Taoist Priest Huayang observed, a hint of amusement in his eyes, much to Xu Tianzhi's relief.

"Humph, it's merely a Level Three Array Formation," scoffed an elder clad in black, a representative of the Law Hall, as he rose to his feet with a sharp tone. "Without breaking through to the Body Quenching Stage, his lifespan remains that of an ordinary man. What use is a Level Three Array Master with but a few decades to live? I say he lacks the qualifications to be a disciple of our Hero Sect!" he declared indignantly.

"Sect Master, our Hero Sect prioritizes martial prowess. Allowing a disciple who hasn't reached the Body Quenching Stage in twelve years to remain among us will only serve as fodder for ridicule from other sects. To let such a waste occupy an apprentice slot is to squander our resources!" Elder Hee Xiangjiu of the Law Hall asserted with unwavering conviction.

The elders in attendance, centuries-old sages, could easily discern the animosity Elder Hee Xiangjiu bore towards the young man before them. The nature of their past conflict was of little interest to them. Yet, when it came to choosing between a disciple who had spent over a decade without reaching the Body Quenching Stage, one of common birth no less, and a Law Hall elder who oversaw the sect's disciplinary actions, the decision was clear-cut.

"I think Elder He's points are quite valid," someone remarked.

"Indeed, I doubt he'll ever break through to the next stage in his lifetime. He might just live a few decades like any ordinary person. No matter how talented he is in understanding arrays, how many levels can he really master in his lifetime?" another added.

"In our Hero Sect, we prioritize martial arts. Array Masters are, frankly, optional," a third elder chimed in.

Before long, the elders had made their positions clear. Aside from a few who remained silent, those who spoke up seemed to favor Elder He from the Law Hall.

The Sect Master, clearly swayed by the elders, began to show signs of uncertainty on his previously smiling face.

"Sect Master, please, just let me stay in the sect. Don't banish me from the mountain!" Xu Tianzhi implored.

Perhaps moved by Xu Tianzhi's pleas, or perhaps considering his status as a Level Three Array Master, Taoist Priest Huayang weighed the situation for a moment before saying, "Xu Tianzhi, go work in the Ministry of Works for now. Once you've broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage, you may return to continue your cultivation."

...

In an opulent room, the air was filled with the cool fragrance of incense made from the core of a Northern Green Cloud Pine Tree, a scent known for its calming effects on the mind.

"Why didn't you expel Xu Tianzhi from the mountain, Dad? I could have given him a harsh lesson on his way down," a young man in a brocade robe complained to the middle-aged man before him.

This man was none other than Hee Xiangjiu, the Elder of the Law Hall in the Hero Sect.

"You know the Sect Master's character as well as I do. Can he retract his word?" Hee Xiangjiu said, a wary look crossing his face at the mention of Taoist Priest Huayang. But his expression quickly shifted to one of menace. "Hee Xiaoping, if you can't handle a lowly handyman from Hengshan, don't even call yourself my son!"

...

Early in the morning, Xu Tianzhi stood in front of the house he had called home for over a decade, his gaze heavy with reluctance.

Xu Tianzhi was an extraordinary figure within the Hero Sect. The sect's disciples were of two kinds: those from influential families who had reserved spots, and the martial arts prodigies from ordinary backgrounds, who were chosen by the Hero Sect for their exceptional potential.

Xu Tianzhi was neither born into privilege nor blessed with prodigious talent. His entry into the Hero Sect was bought with a substantial sum from his family's coffers. Within the sect, scions of the elite shunned Xu Tianzhi, fearing association with him might tarnish their own esteemed status. Similarly, the self-assured geniuses of common birth, absorbed in their rigorous cultivation, had no interest in fraternizing with him.

As a result, the modest house that had been Xu Tianzhi's home for over a decade held a special place in his heart. It was within these familiar walls that he could truly relax and be himself.

"Sir, it's time to depart. Please, come with me to check in at Hengshan," whispered the attendant tasked with escorting Xu Tianzhi to the Hengshan furnace.