Main Chapter: First Class.

Xuan Yi, Tan Cui, Dai Tian, Fan Hua, Xuan Yu, Ming Xie, Hou Dun, Hou Xiang, Lou Jian, Seung Do. The ten students who were all apart of class 1-A, the supposed top ten youths of Qing Ruo were all gathered.

And as they waited for their teacher they each did their own thing. In a classroom the size of a lecture hall it's no surprise they did. Each of the ten had a sturdy, four-compartment desk made of fine wood, accompanied by a maroon chair with heat and massaging function. On either side of the desk were two mats; a soft, lush green one that resembled grass and a blue one that resembled a flowing stream of water.

Xuan Yu, Fan Cui, Ming Xie, and Seung Do sat at their chair calmly. Tan Cui sat at her table drooling on it her eyes half closed, one step away from sleep. Dai Tian looked murderous and Xuan Yi wasn't sure what to do with himself. Lou Jian was looking around at this and that. Bombarding the Hou siblings who sat beside him with questions from time.

After a few more minutes, their teacher finally arrived. He was a tall, slim-built, roguishly handsome man with red hair that resembled a fiery mane. Unlike most of those around him, he did not wear robes. Instead, he was dressed in a finely crafted open, collared, silver and black vest, simple white pants, and black boots.

A sheathed red blade with a silver wrap and purple tassel hung from his hips. And though he was reading as he entered. Every step was measured and steady.

Coming to the center of the classroom he closed the book and gazed at the ten youths.

"I am Qing Ruo Mou Lin. I will be your teacher, well more accurately your guide for the start of your path."

His voice was calm, smooth and steady. And though his posture was lax it only made him seem like a coiled spring or a sheathed blade.

"Some classes may have you guys introduce yourself but looking around it seems like everyone here has some degree of fame. So, I will just skip it and allow you guys to discover what you will about yourselves and me at your own pace."

Hearing that Xuan Yi relaxed quite a bit, and Dai Tian's face looked a little less murderous.

"Now, then there are a few things I want to tell you. First, those grey robes of yours are a symbol known throughout the lands. It marks you as juniors who have just begun their path. Older cultivators will see you and know that you are to be protected and to be lenient with you. It is the greatest protection we can give you. But you can only wear it for 5 years."

Looking around the room it was easy to tell most of those gathered here already knew this. But from Ming Xie who took a second look at her robes with a look of understanding. Just realizing why it was so expensive. And Luo Jian pulling and tugging at his robes as if searching for some deep secret. That it was news to two.

"Second, though the evaluation test has categorized you. And many others even some of you will differentiate each other by it, remember this. Your talent alone will not define your strength."

"Seriously? Then what's the point of having the test then?"

Compared to Mou Lin's gentle but resounding voice. Lou Jian's loud and resounding voice seem more normal, albeit annoying.

Putting on a thinking expression, Mou Lin, placed his hand near his chin. The book still glued to his hand.

"There are 7 major stages in cultivation. Those marked as Talentless tend to be unable to pass the 1st Stage. Subpar Talents cannot pass the 2nd Stage. Third Class up to 4th Stage. The Second Class, 6th Stage and finally the First Class has no limit."

Seeing some of the youths' expression darken, Mou Lin gave a comforting smile.

"In the past, there have been First Class who have failed to live up to their potential and fate-defying heroes who have achieved more than anyone believed them capable of. The current strongest Grand Sage, the Black Lightning Grand Sage, was considered Talentless in his youth. With an unknown father and a mother who died before giving him a name. He was only known as the 'little bastard' or the 'little beast.'

When it was discovered he was a potential cultivator people started to care about him once more. Then when they learned he was talentless he was outright abandoned, left to die from hunger. Now, as you all know he is the Black Lightning Grand Sage and considered to be the strongest immortal for 2039 years now.

So, remember this, your talent alone won't define where you end up."

Hearing this most of the youths took his words to heart.

"Third, over the course of your five years. The way you choose to use your time is up to you. Though there are a few mandatory things from time to time. In the morning there will be lectures. In the afternoon practicals and in the evenings, there are optional classes for those interested in mortal topics.

But I have no interest in restraining you to that schedule. Though I will get into trouble if I don't hold you to the mandatory stuff."

Mou Lin said with a light shrug.

"Whether you choose to meditate, listen to me or sleep in the morning is up to you. For now, the practicals in the afternoon, in the beginning, are mandatory. Those will only start when you can fully sense Qi. And as I just said all evening classes are completely optional but there are tests to ensure you would not disgrace the Sect. If you fail those the optional classes will be mandatory for you.

The recommended schedule for you guys; is 8 hours studies, 8 hours sleep, 6 hours cultivation. The remaining hours to handle the unexpected that crop up or just relax. Following this is up to you but ultimately go at the pace that best suits you. I will be here to guide and help you. To answer the questions, you might have and help you find the way when you cannot yourself."

Originally there was no Class 1-A. Mou Lin was originally just a personal instructor for Xuan Yi, and before that he was a personal instructor for only the best of Qing Ruo.

Xuan Yu had always been curious about Mou Lin. His life story was an interesting one, but they never had a setting where they could freely interact.

And meeting him now. Xuan Yu wondered if things would have turned out differently if he had.

Mou Lin closed the book with a snap, the air around him stirred and the calm man was "replaced." In his place was a fierce creature with the pressure of a mountain. His black eyes drew the youths gaze to them, all while sending goosebumps throughout them.

"I'm just a piece of trash… but there are things that I've learned. Experiences I've had that you have not. Use what I've learned freely and to your benefit."

The "transformation" broke and as Mou Lin opened the book the calm flame-haired man returned.

'That wasn't Qi.'

'He's just revealing a bit of who he used to be. Not to intimidate but to give his words depth.'

'I realized.'

'Of course, you did, Yuyu is so smart after all.'

Turning around and facing the wall behind his desk. Mou Lin ran his Qi coated hand across the wall. Turning it into a whiteboard. Swiftly he drew three figures and spoke with his back turned.

"Now with the preface over let's begin the lesson. There are three ways to sense and ultimately absorb Qi. Alignment, Absorption, and Command.

Command is an innate ability that some people and even animals can be born with. It starts as an ability to sense Qi and then develops. Allowing one to command the Qi in whatever it may reside. Able not to just drain the Qi from one surrounding but the very life. Fan Hua's Qi sense is one step beneath this."

Having her name called Fan Hua's attention only flickered a little. Even when several gazes turned to her she remained unmoved.

"Seriously? That's so unfair! Ah, whatever what about the other two?"

"Alignment is the technique of becoming one with the world. And allowing Qi to flow into you naturally. Depending on how well one can Align, Alignment can be the fastest method.

The last Absorption requires one to focus on the Qi within the surrounding and draw it into their body. The Qi gathering and sensing technique of the Reflecting Moon is an absorption one."

"Why does it feel like we're doing the dullest one?"

"I know right."

"Absorption is indeed the dullest and most taxing method. It is also the method that is the most developed. Unlike Command which is innate and Alignment which operate on more parameters than is commonly understood. Absorption is steady and thoroughly tried throughout the Greater Lands. Now then…"

Clapping his hands while still holding a book.

"…I will instruct you into the meditative pose that will help you gain the mental clarity necessary for sensing. First, move to the green mat then follow the third image and sit in the lotus position…"