Main Chapter: The Three Basic Spells.

The Qing Ruo Academy had four buildings. That could be accessed from the three pathways that depart from the Fountain of the First.

The building solely for Class 1-A usage. The building that host the staff and their facilities and the twin buildings for the other classes and their facilities.

Behind all this was a field divided into four. Each side large enough to comfortably hold 10,000 people with more than enough room for their activities.

Here, in the afternoon were the 10 students of Class 1-A and their teacher.

"There are three responsibilities of a Righteous Cultivator. First the elimination of Rogue Cultivators, Qi Amalgamations, Demonic Beasts and all that threatens mortals and our way of life.

Second the study of Qi and by extension our world, in the hopes of perfecting ourselves and the world.

Finally, to be a righteous force throughout the world."

As he spoke to the ten students Mou Lin was multi-tasking. Writing a response down in his ever-present book.

"To accomplish any of these the ability to defend oneself and others is of great importance. And the first ways we cultivators do this is, martial techniques or simply called techniques. Which is divided into; martial arts, blade arts, bow arts, piercing arts and force arts. The second way is spells. Spells are classified into; qi arts, dispersion arts, absorption arts, and discernment arts. And the final two ways are; talismans and formation.

Today I will be introducing you guys to the three basic spells of the Reflecting Moon Sect. The first is Ripple, a movement-based, qi art."

Slowly, for those before him, Mou Lin made 7 hand signs. Then his body rippled as if he was a reflection in a lake. Then with a snap, he revealed that he was behind the youths. Once they turned to face him Mou Lin continued.

"Ripple is the most complicated of the three techniques. And does a few things. One it hides your presences, second it enables silent, one-direction, high-speed movement and lastly, it leaves behind a rippling image of yourself. Next."

Slowly, he made another 5 hand signs. And then held out his palm. A translucent amethyst circle appeared before him. It was clear and thin with a stone-white outline.

"This is the Still Pond Art, a defensive-based, Qi dispersion art. And lastly is the Moon Fire Art."

Another 5 slow signs, and then Mou Lin pointed to his left. Amethyst light began to gather at his finger. Then he fired it, a beautiful long beam of purple energy flew out. Its flickering outline showed it was a ray of purple fire.

The reaction to the spell was mixed. With those who haven't seen these spells, like Lou Jian and Ming Xie being impressed. Those who only heard of the spell but haven't seen it like Xuan Yi, the Hou siblings and Seung Do being less impressed. And those who knew it well enough like Dai Tian, Xuan Yu, Tan Cui, and Fan Hua weren't impressed beyond Mou Lin's finesse in his techniques.

"Hah!"

With that sound, tenseness, an outstretched hand and a hand sign. 10 training dummies appeared in the field. They were in hooded cultivator's robes and wore an ugly mask. Mou Lin sighed seeing them but said nothing.

"Feel free to practice against these as you will."

Before Mou Lin was even completely finished. Lou Jian rushed forward, and his hands quickly did the 5 hand signs. But nothing happened. Hou Xiang began to laugh at him, but Lou Jian didn't mind. With an even more serious expression, he did the same hand sign.

"Seriously? How comes it's not working?"

"Your first, second, third, fourth and fifth were wrong. Your intent also was lacking. If you are too far off, the spell nor its backlash will activate in any form."

"You hear that Jian, you were completely wrong."

Hou Xiang laughed at him but Lou Jian turned to her with a bright smile.

"Then I just gotta keep trying till I'm completely right."

Her expression a little dazed she nodded at him and gave a meek, "yeah." Hou Dun beside her had a smug knowing smile as he watched on and then moved away to practice himself. Doing 5 signs completely, different from Lou Jian.

Lou Jian had begun practicing once more. His failures meant nothing to him and he did not get dispirited in the least.

Ming Xie whistled and Hou Xiang blushed realizing she had been staring at Lou Jian all this time. Ignoring Ming Xie, she ran up and began practicing the same spell as Lou Jian next to him.

Ming Xie, however, was still for a time. Simply pondering and then finally she decided and did 5 hand signs. And just like with Lou Jian nothing happened. Looking to Mou Lin he pointed out what she did wrong.

Fan Hua was quietly trying out all three and then feeling an affinity with Moon Fire she moved to the training dummies.

Dai Tian went to stand near Hou Dun but realizing the latter seemed a bit distracted by him. He moved elsewhere and practiced the Still Mirror Art.

Xuan Yi was going over the hand signs by himself.

While Tan Cui and Xuan Yu worked together to search for the comfiest set of grass. Finding it together they settled there, and the latter went to sleep. While the former relaxed on his back and cloud gazed, before falling asleep as well.

Seeing that everyone was doing their own thing. Seung Do moved shiftily toward a training dummy and tried his spell. Like the others, it didn't work and when he tried to figure out why he noticed Mou Lin was staring at him. When their eyes met Mou Lin performed the gestures that Seung Do got wrong.

Time went on peacefully here but as a certain youth would make a gesture from time to time. A certain "uncle" was having a miserable time.

"As I have mentioned before the Clan has expectations. The second expectation is that you will be able to use spells by the end of the week. The reward is different this time and will be for every expectation that you successfully pass.

So, we will be having an impromptu evaluation next week. If you need extra practice you can come to the field, me or use the training room on the Class 1-A building third floor."

After those words from Mou Lin, the Academy's chime rang out. And each of the students went their way. The Hou siblings left together while Lou Jian and Seung Do left by themselves. Dai Tian came to wake Tan Cui and left with her.

Xuan Yi approached Xuan Yu who was on his way to leaving. And fell in stride with him.

"Big brother, I am going to attend an evening class."

"Oh, which?"

"B-biology and mathematics."

With how Xuan Yu had been ignoring Xuan Yi as of late. Xuan Yi did not really think he would receive a response. So, he ended up stuttering in his response. Hearing something "new" Xuan Yu paused but found he didn't care that much.

"Study well."

And with that Xuan Yu left Xuan Yi behind. Ming Xie showed up immediately, but Fan Hua showed up and intercepted her and after some back and forth chased her away. Then she and Xuan Yi took a break before heading to their evening classes.

As Xuan Yu exited the gates he headed into the Xuan carriage. The driver on the carriage was an old one-armed man that had served Xuan Shen. He bowed deeply to Xuan Yu and only raised his head when the other was on.

Entering he saw Mou Lin sitting in the cart with a mischievous smile. But seeing Xuan Yu's face was still as indifferent as ever he let out a disappointed sigh.

"Sorry, it took so long."

Mou Lin handed over the scroll as he apologized. Taking it, Xuan Yu had an unnoticeable puzzled expression.

"Do you not know its worth?"

"Of course I do, it is from my own earnings after all. Even if I am trash, the least I can do is be there for my students."

With those words, Mou Lin hopped out and thanked the driver for his silence. For a while, Xuan Yu sat silently in the carriage.