Sanudao'shen Summit Grandmaster

Thus, the grandmaster, with subtle art,   Imparts his wisdom, heart to heart.   And in this sacred, timeless space,   Disciples find their destined place.

Mastery of the Spiritual Pillar may signal to others that a Spiritualist has achieved the highest understanding of the spiritual arts, but to those within the halls of Sanudao'shen Summit, even a master's understanding one day will be reduced to an elementary principle. The modern model of the Spiritual Pillar has not changed in centuries, and the masters of Sanudao'shen understand the Pillar has plateaued compared to the Elemental and Mental Pillars.    Founded in mortal year 1401 by the reincarnated mortal Qiu Xiong (丘雄), Sanudao'shen Summit has a reputation for producing the finest spiritualists in Infernus, and perhaps even the known Planes. The finest of the Sanubao'shen disciples are given the title of Master, an achievement a disciple is granted once they understand the modern model of the Spiritual Pillar to its fullest.   However, there are a select few who've made breakthroughs to go beyond the understanding of the modern model: the Sanubao'shen Grandmaster, a master of masters who understands that the modern view of magic is a leash on the full understanding of more than just the Spiritual Arts.
by bnichs, via Stable Diffusion
In modernity, the harmony is easily broken. Even a Grandmaster's balance can tip forwards or backwards.

One could answer, based on prior knowledge, that perhaps our teachings and practices were wrong. I would answer that we were both right and wrong simultaneously. And perhaps that in my reincarnation, I was given understanding to one of the many mysteries life had, a question from ancient times that produced answers that developed into entire philosophies and religions.   But with reincarnation, I am stuck with a new question. Where did my corporeal body go? And is this form of my spiritual self that has taken physical form? If so, then which soul of mine is the current one?  
—Qiu Xiong, excerpts from Meditations in the Mist


The Spiritual Pillar of magic is a pillar that is difficult to understand, but with the current model of study, any budding spiritualist can pick up the spiritual arts with relative ease. However, in recent years, both the Elemental and the Mental Pillars of magic have seen breakthroughs in their fundamental understandings. The Spiritual Pillar unfortunately, has not, at least not in most parts of Infernus.   Masters of the spirit arts consistently struggle to discover even a minor breakthrough. Many of these masters have discussions and arguments on the cause of why the Spiritual Pillar has lagged behind its sibling Pillars. Unknown to them, breakthroughs have been discovered, but not by any of the mastear who engage in such discourse.      

Preservation of Xiong's Teachings

Sanudao'shen Spiritualism is the core ideology and practice at Sanudao'shen Summit. Among the disciples of Sanudao'shen, the Grandmasters are held in high regard and respect in the ways of Sanudao'shen Spirituality. The highest position within Sanudao'shen Summit, the Grandmasters (aka Preceptors), are in charge of maintaining the original teachings of Qiu Xiong while balancing their practices in the modern age. An easy sounding task to anyone else outside Sanudao'shen, but were it so easy then Sanudao'shen would not have the reputation they've maintained for centuries.     The path to becoming a Sanudao'shen Grandmaster is no easy feat; after all, there are only ever three at any time, one for each Sanudao'shen temple. Becoming a Grandmaster is not a feat that one is ordinarily qualified for. Even among the Masters and the disciples, one is already part of an elite group of exclusive Spiritualists in Infernus. A Grandmaster is a position held by a Sanudao'shen disciple who has excelled in more than just their proficiency in the Spiritual Pillar; a disciple who has also fully embraced the teachings of Qiu Xiong, all the while guiding their disciples beneath them while balancing their own daily lives.   A Grandmaster's role is much more than being a mage; it's also being a guide. Even outside of Sanudao'shen Summit, Grandmasters are held in high respect for both their power and wisdom, especially by the residents of Zakuniiryun. In times of peril or disaster, the people of the Province looked to the Grandmasters for guidance. It isn't just aid or relief the people of Zakuniiryun look to a Grandmaster for, but also the preservation of Sanudao'shen Spirituality and the Province's identity.   In keeping with Qiu Xiong's final wishes, the Grandmasters of Sanudao'shen Summit commit themselves fully to maintaining Sanudao'shen Spirituality core philosophy to Zakuniiryun, and his extensive magical teachings exclusively to Sanudao'shen Summit.

Comments

Author's Notes

Oh man, it's been a hot minute since I've done any work here, but damn is it good to finally be back! Here's to hoping I can get past the few year's writer's block and at least get to silver this SC.


Please Login in order to comment!