Chapter 371: Cangyun Sect

A few days later, Mo Hua traveled with the Dao Court Division’s carriage to the Cangyun Sect in Qingshan City.

Since he was only there for the assessment, there weren’t many in the entourage—just a few Dao Court officials and his father, Mo Shan.

The carriage was reserved for the Dao Court, drawn by spirit beasts raised by cultivators. Their bloodlines were ordinary, not particularly rare.

A Dao Court banner hung from the carriage, and it traveled along the main roads, so generally no one dared to cause trouble.

This was Mo Hua’s first long journey.

He sat inside the carriage, lifting the curtain and poking his little head out, watching the scenery along the way.

Whenever he saw something new, unfamiliar scenery, or strangely shaped cultivators, he would turn to his father, Mo Shan, and ask:

“Dad, what mountain is that?”

“Why aren’t there any fish in this river?”

“Why is that cultivator carrying a big sword?”

“And what are those bright red things being sold by the roadside?”

…

Mo Hua’s questions never stopped, and Mo Shan patiently explained everything:

“That’s Qingping Mountain. The river is poisoned, so there are no fish. The cultivator carries the sword to serve someone. Those red things sold by the roadside are wild mountain berries…”

Mo Hua kept asking questions, and Mo Shan kept answering.

The journey was bumpy but smooth overall. Three days later, the carriage arrived at Cangyun City.

Cangyun City was larger than Tongxian City, with wider streets, but it wasn’t as bustling. The goods sold by street vendors looked novel at times, though most were similar to those in Tongxian City.

After turning a few streets, the mist-shrouded Qingping Mountain came into view, atop which stood a towering sect.

The Cangyun Sect.

It was the largest sect in the second-tier Heishan Prefecture.

As a second-tier sect, it had over ten Foundation Establishment cultivators. Rumor had it that the Supreme Elder was even in the late Foundation Establishment stage.

But none of this concerned Mo Hua—he was only there for an assessment.

The Dao Court’s Formation Master Standard Assessment was held once every few years, with the date decided by the Celestial Pivot Pavilion of the Dao Court.

The pavilion selected the assessment location, where formation masters with standard qualifications from each prefecture would gather for evaluation.

The assessment was generally held in a sect or a prominent family.

This year, the location chosen was the Cangyun Sect.

Upon entering the sect and dismounting, disciples came forward to inquire about their purpose.

A young official from Tongxian City said:

“We are here to participate in the Formation Master Standard Assessment.”

The disciple’s respect increased further. He said, “Please,” and led Mo Hua and his party to a tastefully decorated hall on the left.

Inside, many cultivators were seated on rosewood chairs, drinking tea while waiting.

“Before the standard assessment, a recommendation letter must be presented. Our sect’s elders will register it, and once verified by the Celestial Pivot Pavilion examiners, you may participate in the formation assessment at the Sage Inquiry Hall on the main peak of Cangyun Peak on a later date.”

The disciple reminded them, bowed, and took his leave.

Mo Hua and the others sat and drank tea while waiting.

Other formation masters were being registered in order.

Bored, Mo Hua wanted to eavesdrop on what questions were asked during registration, but when he strained his ears, he couldn’t hear a thing.

When he extended his divine sense, he realized there was a soundproof formation around them.

It was simple and no match for Mo Hua, but out of respect, he withdrew his divine sense and quietly waited.

After a while—about half a cup of tea—their turn came.

Accompanied by Mo Shan, Mo Hua handed the recommendation letter to the registering elder.

The elder was middle-aged, at the ninth level of Qi Refining, and appeared inexperienced—likely recently promoted, which was why he was assigned registration duties.

He glanced at Mo Hua suspiciously, took the letter, and immediately furrowed his brow. After pondering briefly, he cautiously asked:

“Which one of you is Mo Hua?”

“I am,” Mo Hua replied.

“Then which of you is taking the exam?” the elder asked again.

“I am,” Mo Hua answered.

The elder looked at Mo Hua, then at the letter, then back at Mo Hua, then at the letter again… before finally asking:

“How old are you?”

“I’m thirteen!”

The elder’s expression became extremely complex.

He turned to Mo Shan: “You are this child’s father?”

Mo Shan nodded.

“Do you know what he’s here to do?”

Mo Shan frowned lightly and said calmly:

“It should be clearly written in the letter.”

The elder looked at the letter. It read:

“This certifies that the Tongxian City cultivator Mo Hua, aged thirteen, possesses profound formation knowledge and has the qualifications for the standard assessment. Special recommendation is hereby made.

Tongxian City Overseer: Zhou Tiancheng.”

It bore the official Dao Court seal and Overseer Zhou Tiancheng’s personal seal.

The letter was genuine, but the more he looked, the more unbelievable it seemed.

A thirteen-year-old taking the standard assessment?

“Could this be a trick?”

The middle-aged elder, still uneasy, extended his divine sense to probe Mo Hua.

He did so subtly, retracting it immediately, but the moment it touched Mo Hua, it was instantly obliterated without leaving a trace or revealing any information.

Unfathomable?

The elder was startled. When he looked up, he saw Mo Hua silently staring at him, a hint of displeasure on his face.

“Caught!”

The elder’s heart sank. He quickly stood, clasped his fists, and said:

“I apologize for my rudeness. Please forgive me—I will proceed with the registration.”

Mo Hua, not one to hold grudges, nodded:

“Thank you, Elder.”

The elder sat down again, relieved.

“Almost caused trouble…”

The inability to probe suggested Mo Hua wore a spiritual device that blocked divine sense.

Such devices were very rare, typically only worn by disciples of influential families or sects.

If so, this meant the child’s background was formidable.

If not, it was even more terrifying.

The stronger the divine sense, the subtler it was.

The elder couldn’t probe it.

This meant Mo Hua’s divine sense was extremely powerful, possibly stronger than the elder’s, enough to completely block intrusion.

Even a slight attempt would be noticed.

With such strength, he certainly had the aptitude to study formations—and very likely the ability to participate in the standard assessment and become a first-grade formation master.

And he was only thirteen.

A thirteen-year-old first-grade formation master…

Terrifying.

The elder pondered carefully, growing increasingly anxious.

Outwardly calm, he meticulously registered Mo Hua’s name, then apologized:

“Please forgive any offense earlier.”

He introduced himself:

“My surname is Li, an outer sect elder of Cangyun Sect, responsible for receiving participants in this assessment. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me.”

Elder Li handed over a jade token, a map, and a jade tally:

“This jade token is your credential—required to participate in the assessment.”

“This map shows the layout of the outer mountain, indicating where you can go and where you cannot.”

“Cangyun Sect is the largest sect in Heishan Prefecture. In your leisure, you may explore the outer mountain according to the map.”

“This jade tally is my personal ID. All elders have one. If you encounter trouble, presenting this tally can save a lot of effort.”

Elder Li’s tone was neither servile nor arrogant, but warm.

Mo Hua, surprised, smiled:

“Thank you, Elder Li.”

Seeing Mo Hua’s genuine smile, Elder Li relaxed and personally escorted Mo Hua and Mo Shan out.

The other formation masters waiting to register exchanged puzzled glances.

They had waited a long time, watching.

Elder Li conducted business strictly, following protocol, not particularly warm, and rarely spoke unnecessarily.

Why was he so courteous to this father and son?

The disciples were curious.

The registration area had a simple soundproof formation, so they couldn’t hear what was said—nor did they know what happened.

Meanwhile, they were even more puzzled by Mo Shan.

They didn’t know his name, only that his sharp brows, striking features, and commanding presence, paired with a vigorous aura, were impressive.

Though distinguished, he didn’t look like a formation master.

He resembled a martial cultivator skilled with blades rather than a formation master wielding ink to craft formations.

And he brought his son to take a formation assessment—what was going on?