"This is an invitation from Lanling Sect, a Second Grade Sect within the Lanling State Boundary."
Master Luo said, "Lanling Sect is a well-known Sect within the Lanling State Boundary. It has Golden Core cultivators within its ranks and is just a bit of time away from becoming a Third Grade Sect. The Formation heritage... is not bad."
Master Luo originally wanted to say "The Formation heritage is profound," but thinking of the unnamed, unfathomable Formation Master behind Mo Hua, he found the word "profound" difficult to utter, so he could only say "is not bad."
"Lanling Sect was established on the mastery of Formations, and the ambience of Formation arts is especially strong there. It doesn’t have as many entanglements and power struggles as other Sects do."
Master Luo continued, "I have some connections with them, and it just so happens that I am also going to join Lanling Sect. So, I took the liberty of recommending Mr. Little Mo, and I hope Mr. Little Mo won’t take offense."
Mo Hua quickly waved his hands and said, "You are too kind, Master Luo."
Master Luo then handed the invitation to Mo Hua, "Mr. Little Mo, please take a look."
Mo Hua politely accepted the invitation.
The invitation paper was unknown, elegant, and exquisitely crafted, with text written in gold-flecked ink.
Mo Hua opened the invitation and glanced over the document.
The invitation was concise and courteously phrased. Its main intent was to invite Mo Hua to Lanshan Sect to serve as an Instructor and, upon breaking through to Foundation Establishment, he would be eligible to become an Elder.
It was a highly formal official document of invitation from the Sect, not just some private agreement.
This was quite a solemn offer.
Mo Hua held the hefty invitation in his hand and could not help but frown.
Seeing Mo Hua’s expression, Master Luo hastily added, "Mr. Little Mo, don’t be hasty in rejecting it."
Mo Hua was startled, "I haven’t said I’d reject it yet..."
"And don’t be in a rush to accept, either."
Mo Hua was even more puzzled, "Master Luo..."
Master Luo smiled slightly, "Everything is up for negotiation..."
Master Luo was adept in the ways of the world, capable of adapting to all situations, and he had a very precise grasp on the intricacies involved.
"If Mr. Little Mo is considering accepting, I could negotiate the terms with them further."
Master Luo elaborated to Mo Hua, "Within the Sect, not all Instructors are the same, just as not all Elders are the same. Even though the titles are identical, the actual authority and status can differ widely."
"The invitation doesn’t spell it out, but the positions of Instructor and Elder mentioned there are likely with the Outer Gate, which in terms of authority and treatment, does not compare to the Inner Gate."
"Some fringe Guest Elders might not even hold a higher status than a well-established Inner Sect Instructor."
Master Luo looked at Mo Hua and said softly:
"Mr. Little Mo, your biggest disadvantage is actually your status as a Loose Cultivator."
"As a Loose Cultivator, you are an ’outsider’ to the Sects, not ’one of their own.’ Even if the upper echelons of Lanshan Sect treat you well, some of the Disciples and Formation Masters below will still be resentful..."
"Do all the Sects in this world exclude outsiders?" Mo Hua inquired.
"It’s not just the Sects in this world, but all people in this world that are exclusionary..." Master Luo said.
"In such cases, what’s the best course of action?" Mo Hua asked earnestly.
He wasn’t actually keen on joining Lanshan Sect. He was just genuinely curious and wanted to hear Master Luo’s perspective.
Master Luo himself didn’t care whether Mo Hua truly wanted to join the Sect.
Mo Hua’s willingness to ask him questions met his expectations.
Mo Hua asked, and he answered. That counted as a favor, even if not a big one, and it could win him some favor in Mo Hua’s eyes.
Master Luo patiently said:
"The best approach is not to become an Outer Gate Instructor. Instead, you should join the Inner Gate outright, accept some grievances, and start as an Inner Sect Disciple."
"With Mr. Little Mo’s talent in Formations, soon no one in the Inner Gate would be able to teach you anything new. In time, it would naturally be your turn to teach others. If you belong to the Inner Gate and have the capacity to instruct others, you would naturally become an Inner Gate Instructor."
"At that time, various branches within Lanshan Sect will certainly try to win you over. You can choose one branch and show some goodwill, or you can choose none and simply focus on studying Formations."
"Formation mastery is the foundation of your standing. As long as your Formation skills are unparalleled, you’ll possess a transcendent status, and no one would dare to offend you."
"Once you reach Foundation Establishment and become a Sect Elder, you’ll be a powerful figure."
"Besides, you are still so young. Even the Sect Leader of Lanshan Sect would try every means possible to win you over. Not just Lanshan Sect, but all renowned Cultivators within the Lanling State Boundary will give you some due regard..."
Talking it through, Master Luo clicked his tongue, envying such a position in his heart.
A renowned Formation Master in the area...
Unfortunately, he didn’t have the strength, the talent, nor the chance for such treatment.
"What if I don’t want to join the Inner Gate?" Mo Hua asked.
Master Luo was not surprised; in fact, he understood:
"Joining the Inner Gate means binding yourself to Lanshan Sect with many restrictions. If someday you want to leave or seek higher opportunities elsewhere, Lanshan Sect will surely not let you go easily, which could instead lead to enmity..."
While others might desperately seek to be taken into Lanshan Sect’s Inner Gate, Master Luo knew it didn’t include Mo Hua.
He understood the extent of Mo Hua’s talent. Although Lanshan Sect was a major force within the Third-Grade State Boundary, in the grand scheme of the Cultivation World, it wasn’t much.
Lanshan Sect’s pond might not be able to contain Mo Hua.