Elder Master Xun pondered for a moment, then took out a jade token-like object and handed it to Mo Hua.
Mo Hua took it, examined it for a moment, and asked curiously: "Elder, what is this?"
"Sect ’Jade Token’." Elder Master Xun said.
"Jade Token?"
"Yes." Elder Master Xun nodded, "It’s a jade token used for ’introduction’. Every disciple, after graduation from the sect, will have some elders from within the sect sign their name on it, to help find a path, or for simple introduction and communication among fellow cultivators."
Mo Hua suddenly understood.
This is somewhat like a "recommendation letter" from the sect, somewhat like a "business card" for a disciple’s sect.
"Does every disciple have one?" Mo Hua was a bit puzzled, "Why didn’t I know about this before?"
Elder Master Xun quietly said, "Perhaps everyone thought you didn’t need it..."
This kind of "Jade Token" requires an elder’s signature.
Mo Hua’s status is recognized even by the ancestors, so no elder dared to presumptuously offer him an "introduction".
But the problem is, Mo Hua doesn’t intend to stay within the Qianxue State Boundary.
He is planning to leave.
Once he leaves the Qianxue State Boundary, the outside world will be different.
Elder Master Xun said, "Some formalities are still necessary, within the Taixu Gate, within the Qianxue State Boundary, no one dares to belittle you."
"But once you’re out of the Qianxue State Boundary, in the vast world, events are unpredictable, meeting by chance, no one knows who you are."
"If you always hide in obscurity, keeping a low profile, it may not matter."
"But occasionally, you might need to take advantage, without proof, mere words mean nothing, others will only think you’re boasting."
"Therefore, things like the Jade Token, you still need to have. At the very least, when you meet past Taixu Gate elders, senior brothers, or senior sisters, you can make some connections."
"A cultivator’s cultivation is important, but connections are also not to be ignored."
After speaking, Elder Master Xun himself signed Mo Hua’s Jade Token, and then said:
"Take this and ask some elders for their signatures. Just say it’s what I said."
"Yes." Mo Hua held the Jade Token, feeling deeply grateful.
Afterward, Mo Hua took the Jade Token given by Elder Master Xun and went to find the elders for their "signatures".
He first sought out the elders he knew well and had a good relationship with.
For example, Elder Xun Ziyou, Elder Xun Zixian, the gentle and beautiful Elder Murong, Elder Yi who taught him Taoist skills, and Elder Song who was in charge of lecturing and often excused his absences, and so on.
Then, somehow, the news got out.
Many elders took the initiative to seek out Mo Hua, wanting to sign for him.
But they were embarrassed to speak first, only pretending to "run into him", then eagerly looking at Mo Hua.
Mo Hua hesitated for a moment, and slowly said: "Elder, this disciple has an unreasonable request..."
The elder replied, "Oh, the Sect Jade Token, right? No problem, no problem, I’ll sign, I’ll sign..."
Speaking with a face filled with joy.
Eventually, more and more elders from the Three Mountains signed in such an "encounter" with Mo Hua.
Generally speaking, for an elder to sign a disciple’s Jade Token is an honor for the disciple.
But for Mo Hua, it was reversed; whoever signed for Mo Hua gained face.
Whoever didn’t sign was considered inferior.
The elders even signed for other disciples with flamboyant strokes, fearing it wouldn’t be suave enough.
But when signing for Mo Hua, they wrote each stroke carefully, afraid Mo Hua wouldn’t recognize it.
After the elders finished signing, even the ancestors were not exempt.
The ancestor of Taia Mountain invited Mo Hua for tea and casually mentioned the Jade Token, then signed it as well.
The ancestor of Mount Chongxu was not to be outdone.
Then, all the Sect Leaders of the Three Mountains also signed.
By this time, Mo Hua’s "Sect Jade Token" was densely packed, almost completely filled with names from the ancestors to the Sect Leaders to the elders of the Three Mountains at Taixu Gate.