Three Elements Sect, Outer Sect.
A clear mountain stream cascaded down the steep Cyan Cliff, its mist suffusing the air. The vapor reflected the high autumn sky and the verdant, ancient pines clinging to the cliff face.
Today, Cyan Cliff Bay was much livelier than usual.
At the Spiritual Chariot ferry landing in Cloud Bay, a crowd of elders and Outer Sect disciples in robes of various colors had gathered. They stood in small groups, some conversing in low tones, others gazing quietly into the distance, their eyes fixed on the vast sea of clouds at the landing.
Today was the day the new Outer Sect elder, who had just joined the sect, would officially take up his post at Cyan Cliff Hall.
As was sect tradition, whenever a new elder took office—especially a Foundation Establishment Cultivator recruited from elsewhere—the sect would hold a simple yet proper welcoming ceremony. This served to show the sect’s high regard for the individual and also gave the disciples a chance to witness the new elder’s demeanor.
Rumor had it his name was Guo Dong, a Cultivator from a harsh, cold land in Shengkang known as Beichaotian. Though he was a Loose Cultivator, with no sect to call his own, he had ultimately succeeded in establishing his foundation. After discussion among the sect’s upper echelons, it was decided that he would be stationed in the Outer Sect as an elder of Cyan Cliff Hall.
As they waited for the new elder to arrive, the Outer Sect disciples gathered at Cyan Cliff Bay put their heads together and discussed the matter in low voices.
"Beichaotian... That place is notoriously harsh and cold," an older disciple remarked with a sigh. "I’ve heard it’s covered in wind and snow all year long. The Spiritual Qi is thin, Cultivators are scarce, and cultivation resources are practically nonexistent. Anyone who can make it out of a place like that and successfully reach Foundation Establishment... they’re all people with wills of iron and Dao hearts as firm as mountains."
Shao Qingsong milled about in the crowd. He had originally been on his way to Yunshen Cottage to have tea and a chat with his junior brother, Chen Yu, but decided to stay when he heard about the commotion.
Everyone knew that when a new elder took up their post—especially one who seemed to have a boundless future—they would more than likely open their doors to recruit disciples within a year or so. If a disciple could catch the elder’s eye at a time like this and leave a good impression, they might just form a connection that could open up more opportunities for them down the road.
Shao Qingsong, however, was still a bit confused. Cupping his hands in a salute, he humbly approached two senior brothers who were chatting nearby. "I am Shao Qingsong. If I may ask, Senior Brothers, I’ve heard that Cyan Cliff Hall is just a quiet post for guarding Cyan Cliff and supervising disciples undergoing wall-gazing punishment. It doesn’t come with much real authority. Why then is his assignment here considered a sign that the sect ’holds him in high regard’?"
The two turned to size Shao Qingsong up. Seeing his clear eyes and sincere tone, they concluded he wasn’t a spy or someone with ulterior motives. One of them pulled back his sleeves and began to explain, eager to share his knowledge.
"Junior Brother, you might not be aware, but while Cyan Cliff Hall seems to be a cushy, nominal post for guarding Cyan Cliff and supervising disciples in punishment, its stipend is on par with that of the Law Enforcement Hall."
"Most elders are barely over a hundred years old—an age where they’re full of vigor and eager to make their mark. They can’t stand being idle and wouldn’t want to be sent to a place like that to live out their days."
"But Elder Guo Dong is different," the other disciple chimed in. "He’s a Cultivator from Beichaotian. The sect doesn’t know his background through and through, so they can’t immediately entrust him with a key position, like heading an important hall or handling core affairs."
"Elders like him, who only join the sect after reaching Foundation Establishment, are usually sent to the ’Little Bamboo Hall’ at first. That place is a truly marginal, do-nothing post. They typically have to stay there for ten years to be observed before having any chance of promotion or reassignment."
The first disciple lowered his voice. "Cyan Cliff Hall, on the other hand, is technically under the jurisdiction of the Law Enforcement Hall. Although its duties are few, the position involves contact with the daily management of the Outer Sect and matters of disciple discipline. It’s practically a position of real authority."
"What’s more, the stipend is good, and it’s quiet enough to provide ample time for secluded cultivation and seeking enlightenment... An elder from the outside can usually master the sect’s Cultivation Technique within a few years here, gaining new insights and even advancing their Cultivation. It might look like a cushy post, but it’s really a place for profound cultivation."
"Every position has its purpose. The post of Cyan Cliff Hall Elder is reserved for those with great potential who need time to acclimate to the sect and hone their temperament. That’s what it means to be truly valued and cultivated."
Shao Qingsong’s heart skipped a beat. He asked, "So this Elder Guo Dong must still be in the prime of his life, right?"
’If he established his foundation before sixty, he’s definitely a genius.’
’And he’s a Loose Cultivator from a place like Beichaotian, no less. He’d have to be one in a million to have any hope of reaching Foundation Establishment.’
One of the disciples just smiled without a word, but the other couldn’t resist revealing the answer. "Word is he reached Foundation Establishment around the age of forty, but that’s just a rumor, so who knows if it’s true."
"So he’s in his thirties?!" A storm of complex emotions churned within Shao Qingsong, and he couldn’t calm himself for a long while.
’We’re both in our thirties,’ he thought. ’I’m still just running around, accomplishing nothing, while a Loose Cultivator from Beichaotian has already reached Foundation Establishment.’ He was suddenly struck by a wave of unbearable shame.
After a long moment, he took a deep breath and suppressed the turbulent feelings.
’Everyone has their own path to walk, their own opportunities, their own fate.’
’After cultivating for more than a decade, I’ve long understood that the first hurdle on the path is to accept your own mediocrity.’
’If you can’t even see yourself clearly, if you spend all your time reaching for the unattainable, how can you ever hope to achieve a clear mind and a steadfast Dao heart?’
’Am I envious? To be honest, it would be a lie to say no.’
’But I don’t feel much resentment or jealousy. Talent is a matter of destiny; you can’t force it. I can’t spend my days wallowing in self-pity and cynicism. That would only hinder my own cultivation path, which is already difficult enough.’