Conformity

Art of Cultivated Wisdom — Illusory Conformity

"The mortals seek to blend in with the flowing stream, conforming to the illusion of social norms. But in truth, each mortal holds their own unique beliefs, hidden beneath the façade of conformity. The illusion of conformity is but a mirage, a fleeting shadow in the grand tapestry of cultivation."

The streets of the Lest City were bustling with activity as usual, with merchants selling their wares and people going about their daily business. But in the shadows, a different kind of activity was taking place.

A group of thieves were huddled together, planning their next heist. They had been operating in the city for months now, always one step ahead of the corrupt Guardian Officers who were supposed to be protecting the citizens.

The leader of the thieves, a cunning and ruthless cultivator known as Li, had a plan. He had learned that a wealthy merchant was traveling through the city with a large sum of celestial coins, and he intended to relieve the merchant of his wealth.

The thieves set out that night, sneaking through the alleys and backstreets of the city. They made their way to the merchant's inn, where they knew he was staying. Li and his accomplices waited until the merchant was fast asleep, and then they struck.

But things didn't go as planned. The merchant was a skilled cultivator himself, and he was able to fend off the thieves with ease. The Guardian Officers, alerted by the commotion, arrived on the scene just in time to catch the thieves red-handed.

But they had a secret weapon in their arsenal - the corrupt Guardian Officers who were more than willing to look the other way in exchange for a hefty bribe.

The thieves paid these Guardians handsomely, knowing that their money would guarantee them protection from the law. And so, they continued to steal and plunder with impunity, laughing in the face of justice.

But one day a new ruler was was born in the Lest City and he was aware of the corruptions of the police and the thieves, he knew that replacing the Guardians with another batch of Guardians would never work and they will give in to the bribes of Greed; therefore, he thought of an idea, he created a group of people called the illusionist to replace these Guardians.

The illusionist were tasked with creating an illusion of social norms, so that when people tried to break the rules, they would act like the rest of society and passively mock or gossip about them, trying to make them feel ashamed for going against the perceived norm. This tactic worked surprisingly well, as people naturally have a desire to conform and be accepted by their peers.

As the sun rose over the city, the illusionists were already at work. Dressed in the same somber colors as the rest of the population, they mingled with the crowds, quietly observing those who seemed to be flouting the rules.

One young man, his hair dyed a bright shade of green, caught the eye of an illusionist. The man was walking through the marketplace, his arms full of illegal contraband.

The illusionist watched as the young man's actions drew the attention of others. Murmurs began to spread through the crowd, and soon a small group of people had gathered around the rule-breaker.

Instead of arresting him or turning him in to the authorities, the illusionist simply watched as the group began to mock the young man. They made fun of his dyed hair and the illegal goods he carried, laughing and jeering as he tried to make his escape.

The young man, embarrassed and shamed by the ridicule of his peers, quickly put down the contraband and hurried away, his head hung low in defeat.

The illusionist smiled to themselves, knowing that their work had been a success. By creating the illusion of social norms and conformity, they had managed to deter the young man from breaking the rules again. And as the day went on, more and more people found themselves swayed by the subtle influence of the illusionists, conform to the unspoken rules of the city and the society.

—

The mortals are like a flock of birds, all moving together in a cohesive group, conforming to the unspoken rules and norms of their society. Just as the birds follow the lead of their leader, the mortals follow the lead of those around them, seeking acceptance and belonging.

But beneath the surface, each mortal is unique, with their own individual thoughts and beliefs. They may hide these differences in order to fit in with the group, but they are always there, waiting to be uncovered.

In a way, the illusion of conformity is a survival tactic, allowing the mortals to blend in with their surroundings and avoid standing out. But it also holds them back, stifling their true potential and creativity.

Those who are able to break free from the constraints of conformity and embrace their individuality are often the ones who rise to greatness. They are the ones who are able to tap into their full potential and make a real impact on the world.

But for those who are still trapped in the illusion of conformity, there is hope. By understanding the hardwired desire to fit in and conform, one can learn to use it to their advantage. By creating the appearance of conformity, they can manipulate the perceptions of those around them, achieving their goals and advancing their cultivation.

Ultimately, the key to breaking free from the illusion of conformity is self-awareness. By understanding one's own thoughts and beliefs, and being true to oneself, one can rise above the constraints of society and reach for greatness.

"The mortals crave conformity,

A desire ingrained in their souls.

They strive to blend in with the flow,

To fit within society's moulds.

But beneath the façade of normalcy,

Each mortal holds their own beliefs.

Though they may hide them from the world, Their true selves lie beneath.

The illusion of conformity,

A mirage that fades with time.

But the mortals cling to it still,

Afraid to step out of line.

But those who dare to break the norms,

And embrace their true selves,

Find liberation in their authenticity,

And the courage to break the shelves.

So let us shed the veil of conformity,

And embrace our unique selves.

For in our differences, we find strength,

And the power to break the spells."

. . .

As Liu Zhang strolled down the peaceful part of the Eastern Town, the sun shone down on the road and the trees that lined the sidewalk. Small shops dotted the landscape, and Liu Zhang could be seen walking among them, a book in hand. He had just finished his first session of meditation for the day, and as he walked, he tried to focus on both the movement of his body and the words on the pages of his book.

His eyes glued to the pages of the book in his hands. The morning sun shone down on him, casting a warm glow on his face as he walked. The road was lined with tall trees and small shops, and the sounds of birds singing and people chatting filled the air.

As he walked, Liu Zhang tried to read and absorb the contents of the book, his mind racing with the thought-provoking ideas it contained. The previous page he had read yesterday was particularly impactful, discussing the role of fear in one's life.

The page he was reading today was talking about Conformity, Liu Zhang found that the ideas on conformity didn't quite resonate with him in the same way as he was already someone unbinded by the Chains of Conformity. Still, he knew that understanding and manipulating the concept of conformity could come in handy in the future, so he continued to read on.

—

The Liu clan was divided into four main territories, each with its own unique characteristics and responsibilities.

The Northern Mountain was the most secluded and isolated of the four regions, surrounded by tall peaks and dense forests. The Northern Mountain was known for its abundant natural resources, including rare herbs and minerals that were highly sought after by other Cultivators as well as being home to many beasts and Soul Remnants, the gains in the Northern Mountain is most of the time transported to the Western Bustle for sell. It was a training ground to many of the clan's most skilled cultivators, who used the peaceful and serene environment to ' ' 'Meditate' — the one which affects Cultivation — and enhance their experience by battling beasts and also to test the power of their newly subdued Soul Remnant or hunt for Soul Remnants.

The Western Bustle was the busiest and most populous of the four regions. It was home to many of the clan's merchants and traders, who traveled far and wide to conduct business. The Western Bustle was also home to the clan's main market, where Cultivators from all over the Clan came to buy and sell their goods.

The Eastern Town was the most cultural and artistic of the four regions, known for its rich history and vibrant arts scene. It was home to many of the clan's scholars and artists, who spent their days studying and creating works of beauty. The Eastern Town was also home to the clan's main library, a vast collection of books and manuscripts that contained the 'wisdom' and 'knowledge' of the ages.

The Southern Council was the most politically and militarily important of the four regions, serving as the clan's seat of power and defense. It was home to many of the clan's leaders and officials, who worked to govern and protect the clan. The Southern Council was also home to the clan's main guardians, a powerful force that was ready to defend the clan from any threats.

—

As Liu Zhang walked the Eastern Town, he strolled down the well-worn path that led to the Southern Council, as he approached the grand, marble building, he saw a crowd of people his own age milling about excitedly.

At the Awakening Ceremony responsible for triggering their body into awakening their Mystic Land fourteen days ago, Liu Zhang's awakening was successful and the formation of his Mystic Land began. The Elder responsible for the trigger told everyone to come back here after two weeks because most Mystic Land has successfully formed by then, after coming here they will assess the Seal of your Mystic Land and will carve a mark in your palm indicating that one is a Prowess—9 Cultivator and the quality of their Seal which was often seen as a representation of 'talent' by many.

As Liu Zhang approached this building in the Southern Council, two of the other disciples who were also there for the assessment noticed him. They greeted him with a friendly nod and asked, "You're here for the assessment too?"

As Liu Zhang approached, he was greeted by two of the other disciples. "You're here for the assessment too?" one of them asked. Liu Zhang nodded, "Yes, has it started?" curious about the progress of the assessments. "Yes, it's started just now. There's not too much commotion yet," the other disciple, a plump young man named Liu Bao Li, replied nonchalantly.

Suddenly, they heard an old voice announcing the name of the next person to be assessed. "Liu Fang Yi, a light seal. Next, Liu Bao Li." the voice called out. The mention of the light seal caused a stir among the other disciples, and they looked on with admiration and 'welcoming smile' as he walked back to the crowd compared to those previously assessed.

Liu Bao Li, clearly impressed by Liu Fang Yi's talent, waved goodbye to Liu Zhang and headed towards the Elder who was responsible for conducting the assessments. "Well, see you later. I'm up next," he said excitedly with a hint of nervousness.

The Elder named Liu Du called out the names of those who were to be assessed. One by one, the disciples stepped forward to receive their evaluation, their faces etched with determination and nervous anticipation.

Finally, the Elder's voice boomed out, "Next is, Liu Zhang."