Yue Fan rose at dawn, his day beginning as it always did with an hour of cultivation. When the spiritual energy in his meridians settled, he made his way to the classroom to await his instructor. Instructors were the lifeblood of Jianyun Gate, teaching the disciples everything from cultivation theory and formations to alchemy and artifact refining. They also oversaw the progress of the Outer Gate Disciples. Like most sects in the Cultivation World, Jianyun Gate divided its disciples into three tiers: direct, Inner Gate, and Outer Gate. The Outer Gate served as Jianyun Gate’s public face, teaching the Tao to any who could afford the tuition. The techniques taught were those the sect was willing to make public. Once these disciples graduated or left, they shared a sentimental connection to the sect, but no binding ties. The Inner Gate formed the core of the sect. Its disciples were bound to Jianyun Gate, managing its various industries—spiritual mines, herb gardens, and businesses—alongside their own cultivation. Inner Gate Disciples were granted access to the sect's more secret techniques and spells. Their master-disciple relationship was a vital, inseparable bond. If an Inner Gate Disciple caused trouble outside, the sect could be held responsible. To betray the sect was a grave, often unforgivable, offense with severe consequences. Direct disciples were the designated successors, chosen from the most promising of the Inner Gate. They were either blood relatives of the Sect Leader and Elders or shared the deepest of master-disciple bonds. As the future leaders, they were the very heart of the sect. Direct disciples were taught the sect’s most foundational techniques, profound arts forbidden to outsiders. Should a direct disciple betray the sect, they would be hunted down and killed without exception. The “Heavenly Code” forbade private justice and indiscriminate killing. Yao a traitorous disciple was a violation that could bring the wrath of the Heavenly Synod. However, such matters were typically handled by the local branches of the Synod, and the cultivators staffing these outposts were not always powerful. Because the betrayal of a direct disciple concerned a sect’s core secrets, the local Heavenly Synod would rarely intervene—especially not when it involved one of the Great Sects that dominated an entire region. But none of this had anything to do with Yue Fan. He was just an Outer Gate disciple of Jianyun Gate. Not Inner Gate, and certainly not a direct disciple. He sometimes thought, with a grim sort of humor, that even if he wanted to be hunted down for treason, the sect wouldn't consider him worth the effort. Yue Fan wanted to join the Inner Gate, but with no Spirit Stones and no connections, it seemed an impossible dream in this lifetime. Becoming a direct disciple was beyond the realm of fantasy. Yue Fan cleared his mind, centering himself as he sat at his desk. After a short while, Elder Yan entered, his expression as serious as ever. Elder Yan appeared to be in his forties or fifties, with a stern demeanor and the cultivation of a Qi Refining Ninth Level expert. Within Jianyun Gate, Elder Yan held a position of high esteem. Among all the instructors, he was the only one who taught formations. It was rumored that after his next assessment in a few years, he might even become a Huang Bing Formation Master. Every Qi Refinement Realm disciple at Jianyun Gate learned formations from him. Whether they came from a prominent Clan or were humble Loose Cultivators, Elder Yan treated them all with the same unforgiving strictness, doling out reprimands and punishments without regard for status. For this, the disciples of Jianyun Gate both respected and feared him. Sect tuition was paid annually, and so lessons were held on a yearly term. Today was the final day of Jianyun Gate’s annual instruction. Afterward, there would be a long break of more than half a month. It was also the day the assessment results for every course would be handed out. Elder Yan held a stack of report cards in his hands. A wave of anxiety washed over the disciples. Yue Fan was normally unconcerned with such things, but the tense atmosphere was infectious, and he felt a knot of nervousness form in his stomach. Soon, Yue Fan had his own assessment results in hand. As expected, his formation assessment was a Huang Bing. It was his strongest subject. Not many disciples in Jianyun Gate could achieve that grade in formations, but Yue Fan was one of them. His cultivation was rated only Middle Bing. It wasn’t for a lack of effort, but a matter of potential. His medium-grade Small Five Elements Spiritual Root was a hard limit; he was better than some, worse than others, and there was little he could do about it. For subjects that could be mastered through study and time, like Heavenly Calendar history and Qi Refinement theory, he consistently earned Huang Bing grades. But for subjects that required spending Spirit Stones on materials, like alchemy and rune-making, he received either a B or a C. Yue Fan came from a poor family. He couldn't even afford to borrow a Pill Furnace, so his performance naturally suffered. During assessments, he could only rely on intuition and hope for the best, making his results a matter of sheer, unstable luck. Overall, though, his grades were quite good. As the saying goes, a single brilliance can cover a hundred flaws. Mastering formations was no simple feat, and a Huang Bing was a commendable achievement. Elder Yan said a few words before being called away on a temporary matter. The moment he was gone, the classroom erupted in whispers as students began comparing their report cards. “Yue Fan, you got a Huang Bing in formations again!” a disciple exclaimed, leaning over to sneak a look at his report card. “I’m still stuck at Middle Bing…” “I’m a Inferior Bing.” “Formations are so difficult. The patterns alone give me a headache…” A small crowd began to gather around Yue Fan’s desk. “Hmph!” A sharp snort cut through the chatter. A disciple from the Jin Family, dressed in a silver-white Heavenly robe, glared at the scene. “What’s so impressive? All he did was sketch a few simple formations for the sect to get that Huang Bing.” “And what did you get?” another disciple challenged. “Why should I tell you?” the Jin Family disciple sneered. Another student craned his neck, caught a glimpse of the boy’s report card, and burst out laughing. “He got a Inferior Bing!” The classroom went silent for a moment, then erupted in laughter. “You got a C and you have the nerve to mock someone with an A? You’ve got some thick skin!” “Thicker than an Artifact Furnace!” “And you’re from the Jin Family, too. Pathetic. Even I got a B.” The Jin Family disciple’s face turned crimson with rage. “So what if it’s a Huang Bing? There are no Formation Masters among Loose Cultivators, do you understand?” He pointed a scornful finger at Yue Fan and the others. “You bunch of Loose Cultivators are nothing but frogs in a well. You have no lineage, no inheritance. Listen well, because I'll only say this once: none of you will ever become a true Formation Master. Pah! A ‘Huang Bing’ is meaningless. Remember this: there has never been a real Formation Master from the Loose Cultivators!” “A Loose Cultivator will never be worthy of the title!” The surrounding disciples fell silent. Yue Fan simply looked at him as if he were an idiot. Then he stood, faced the space just behind the Jin Family disciple, and bowed respectfully. “Good day, Elder Yan.” The Jin Family disciple froze as if struck by lightning. He turned his head with a stiff, robotic motion and saw Elder Yan standing directly behind him, his face a mask of thunder. “The sect is a place to learn the Tao and cultivate oneself, not to belittle your peers!” “Your own understanding of formations is abysmal, yet you have the gall to mock others?” “Get outside. You will stand there as punishment until nightfall.” “Furthermore, you will draw the basic Five Elements Formation Patterns one hundred times. Bring them to me at the start of the next term. If you fail, don't bother returning.” The Jin Family disciple’s face went pale, but he didn’t dare utter a single word of protest. Elder Yan’s position was unassailable. He could discipline even a direct descendant of the Jin family, let alone this boy, who was only a distant relative with diluted blood ties. The disciple shuffled out of the room to begin his punishment. Elder Yan stopped in front of Yue Fan. He was silent for a moment, then reached out and patted the boy’s thin shoulder. He sighed. “Don’t listen to what others say. Just focus on your studies.” Yue Fan’s expression remained calm as he bowed again. “This disciple will remember your words.” Elder Yan nodded and walked to the front of the room. He gave a few final instructions before officially announcing the start of the year-end break, dismissing them all to return home. The disciples could barely contain their excitement. After a chorus of thanks for the year of guidance, they scattered like a flock of startled birds. The sect’s holiday brought a wave of joy and relief to the students. Yue Fan, however, felt a complicated mix of emotions. Most of these Qi Refinement Realm disciples were still young, carefree, and blissfully unaware of the true hardships of a cultivator’s life. The image of his father's scarred body, worn down from hunting monsters, and his mother's exhausted face rose in his mind. A familiar ache settled in his chest, and he couldn't help but let out a quiet sigh. Becoming a first-grade Formation Master was still a distant dream, but he would do everything in his power to give his parents a better life. Yue Fan carefully put away his report card. Clutching the twelve Spirit Stones he had saved, he left Jianyun Gate, but instead of heading home, he walked towards the Market Town.

Chapter 3: The Ranks of Cultivation