Chapter Eleven: Mastery of Both Alchemy and Formations

“It’s just a sensing array!” came Old Wu’s contemptuous voice in Lin Xiaobao’s mind. “Bah… no, not even that. This shabby thing can’t even be called an array. What kind of world is this, parading such a trivial trick as if it were something impressive?”

“Old Wu, are you saying the ‘Winds and Snow—First Verse’ is that simple?” Hearing the voice of Wu Hengdao, the King of Arrays, Lin Xiaobao remembered that he carried the very progenitor of formations within him. If the booklet merely contained some basic array, it would be useless to him.

Lin Xiaobao understood the importance of not flaunting one’s wealth. He tucked the ‘Winds and Snow—First Verse’ into his robes and cast a glance at the browless youth. That fellow was wholly absorbed in the booklet, seemingly having forgotten their earlier conflict. Lin Xiaobao was quite content with this and made his way over to Wang Dasha.

Wang Dasha was focusing all his strength on his arms, the first page of the booklet turned only a third of the way, unable to go further.

“Dasha, let’s take it back and try again,” Lin Xiaobao said, patting his friend’s shoulder.

“Alright, Xiaobao, which cottage are you in?” As Wang Dasha shut the booklet, Lin Xiaobao caught sight of the number three on it. “Not far from you, I’m in cottage number two,” he replied.

By the time they walked toward the main doors of the Hall of Martial Valor, many other disciples had already left. Outside, guided by Wang Dasha, the two headed toward the newly assigned disciples’ lodgings. Though simple-minded, Wang Dasha had learned much about the Winds and Snow Pavilion while Lin Xiaobao was unconscious.

The so-called second cottage was nothing more than a dilapidated hut, so ramshackle that a strong wind might topple it. Lin Xiaobao hesitated and said, “If you still can’t open the ‘Winds and Snow—First Verse’ within ten days, bring it to me.”

“I knew you’d help me, Xiaobao!” Wang Dasha gazed at Lin Xiaobao with adoration. In his mind, if Xiaobao said it could be done, then it certainly could. “Let’s work hard together. Otherwise, when we return to Howling Moon City in a year, we’ll go hungry again!”

Watching Wang Dasha’s departing figure, Lin Xiaobao shook his head in helpless amusement. He reminded himself to find a way to cure Dasha of that catchphrase of his—otherwise, if they ever had an adventure and met someone special, Dasha’s obsession with food would surely ruin the moment.

He pushed open the door and entered. The inside matched the cottage’s sorry exterior: a hard wooden bed barely three feet across, a square table, two stools, and a wooden bucket—this would be Lin Xiaobao’s home for the coming year.

Without bothering to wipe the dust from the bed, Lin Xiaobao sat down heavily and took out the ‘Winds and Snow—First Verse.’ “Old Wu, you…”

“Now you finally appreciate the value of formations, don’t you? I tell you, on the path of cultivation, arrays are everywhere…” Wu Hengdao, the Array King, rambled on for a full quarter of an hour, never once mentioning how to open the booklet. Lin Xiaobao was itching with impatience but dared not interrupt his enthusiasm.

“Old man Wu, are you done yet? He might tolerate your rambling, but I can’t!” At last, unable to stand it any longer, Mo Tianya exploded.

“If you can’t stand it, then you do it!” Wu Hengdao shot back irritably.

“Fine, go on, I’m going to take a nap!” Mo Tianya was stumped into silence.

“Alright, I’ll teach you the way of arrays now.” Seeing Mo Tianya so exasperated, Wu Hengdao was in high spirits and stopped dawdling. “Relax your mind and carefully sense the entire process.”

As Lin Xiaobao relaxed completely, he felt as if his soul left his body, watching himself from another vantage point. At the same time, an invisible force, like a wave of electricity, spread from his mind, touching the ‘Winds and Snow—First Verse’ in his hands. The first page instantly turned, and his soul returned to his body.

Back in his body, Lin Xiaobao didn’t open his eyes at once. He focused all his attention on recalling that peculiar sensation.

What was that force? It surpassed all his previous understanding of physics, yet it was undeniably real. When that force touched the booklet, the feeling was subtle and profound—like a key turning in a lock. Lin Xiaobao could sense every detail of the process. Yes! The sensation was hundreds of times more magical than unlocking a door.

“Well now… this lad isn’t entirely useless after all,” Wu Hengdao muttered to himself.

“His spiritual strength is far above average. Though his physique is lacking, with such potent spirit, he’s well-suited to the path of alchemy or arrays.” At some point, Mo Tianya had appeared by Wu Hengdao’s side.

The two fell silent, lest they disturb Lin Xiaobao at that critical moment.

It was four whole hours before Lin Xiaobao emerged from the trance, his mind blank and dizzy. “Old Wu, what happened to me?”

“What happened? You have the gall to ask! Not only is your body weak, but your spirit is feeble too. Just a brief borrowing of your body, and you haven’t recovered after four hours. Clearly, you need to focus on strengthening your spiritual power!” Wu Hengdao spoke with the exasperation of a teacher whose pupil just doesn’t get it.

“Am I really that bad? But I distinctly remember someone saying my spirit is much stronger than most people’s,” Lin Xiaobao said smugly.

“What? You could hear us talking in that state?” Even Wu Hengdao, accustomed to prodigies, was taken aback. He remembered his own first experience with spiritual meditation; he had lasted only three and a half hours, and his master had called him an unparalleled genius. Yet Lin Xiaobao had lasted four hours on his first try, and could even hear the conversation between him and Mo Tianya during the process.

“I’m a genius, after all. Otherwise, why would you two have chosen me?” Lin Xiaobao made sure to flatter them as he boasted.

True enough, the two elders looked entirely pleased with his praise. Wu Hengdao said, “Your spiritual power is indeed formidable. Perhaps you truly can pursue both alchemy and arrays.”

“Really? Then teach me the array arts now!” Lin Xiaobao was instantly excited. That recent insight had filled him with curiosity; he yearned to lay down arrays and display his prowess.

“No rush. A tall tower is built from the ground up. For now, you must continually temper your spirit—the stronger it is, the greater your future prospects!” Wu Hengdao said seriously. “You’ve just finished meditating. If you immediately resume spiritual training, it’ll only backfire. For now, study that tattered booklet. You’ll need to gain a foothold in the Winds and Snow Pavilion first.”

“As you command, Master!” Lin Xiaobao laughed heartily and began poring over the ‘Winds and Snow—First Verse.’