Chapter Thirteen: The Divine Wave of Thought

“Scatter the seeds evenly across the ground,” Old Mo instructed immediately upon entering the thatched hut.

“On the ground? Inside the hut?” Even Lin Xiaobao, no matter how ignorant, knew that plants needed sunlight to grow.

“Of course, unless you’re eager for someone to discover your secret, you could plant them outside,” Old Mo replied irritably.

Lin Xiaobao thought this made sense. Surely these two old men had their own unique methods. He followed Old Mo’s directions, placing all the seeds onto the ground.

“Old Wu, the rest is up to you!” Having finished, Old Mo passed the task on.

The two often quarreled, but when it came to Lin Xiaobao’s development, they were unusually harmonious. With a snort, Old Wu said, “Boy, pay attention. You’ll have to do this yourself one day.”

As he spoke, Old Wu once again took control of Lin Xiaobao’s body. He dipped the wolf-hair brush into cinnabar, first painting a sealing array on the four walls of the hut, then moving the brush continuously over the seeds on the ground.

Most of the medicinal seeds were the size of peas, but under Old Wu’s control, the brush danced rapidly, drawing intricate patterns and symbols upon each seed. Lin Xiaobao felt the seeds sinking deeper into the earth.

“You’re inscribing the array directly onto the seeds?” Lin Xiaobao asked in astonishment when Old Wu finished.

“Most people only know how to construct arrays by harnessing nature’s power, seeking the craftsmanship of heaven and earth, but they don’t realize the highest realm of array techniques is the method of the body array!” Old Wu, proud of his expertise, couldn’t help showing off. “The body array is something I comprehended during years of boredom trapped in that jade pendant, otherwise I wouldn’t have ended up like this.”

“The method of the body array?” Lin Xiaobao didn’t fully understand, but sensed from Old Wu’s words that this was something remarkable.

“With the body as the foundation and the array as the guide, you draw upon the forces of heaven and earth for your own use—that is the body array!” Not wishing to recall the past, Old Wu continued, “For example, a typical spirit-gathering array, when set up, benefits those who train within it. But the human body can only absorb so much. If you inscribe the spirit-gathering array directly onto your body, all those benefits are yours alone. Can you see the difference? It’s the same for people and for objects!”

No wonder Old Wu had criticized the array knowledge in the opening chapters of Frost and Snow; he had already mastered far more advanced techniques.

“Enough interruptions. Let me show you the benefits of the body array!” Old Wu said solemnly. “Take off your clothes, relax your body, and feel the sensation closely.”

“Take off my clothes and relax? Old Wu, what exactly are you planning?” Lin Xiaobao suddenly tensed at the instruction.

He had thought the two elders were helping him unconditionally, but it seemed unspoken rules existed everywhere! Filled with grievance but helpless, Lin Xiaobao gradually removed his clothes and relaxed his body. Losing his dignity was better than achieving nothing, he consoled himself.

Under Old Wu’s control, the wolf-hair brush danced again, red lines seeming chaotic yet following an underlying order, covering Lin Xiaobao’s body. In moments, aside from his face, hands, and most private places, his entire body was covered with arrays.

When his soul regained control, Lin Xiaobao immediately felt lighter, as if countless energies were seeping into his body through every pore. The intense pleasure nearly made him unable to suppress a moan.

“Is this spiritual energy? Spiritual energy entering my body—does this mean I can begin training as an innate martial artist?” Lin Xiaobao asked, incredulous.

Spiritual energy entering the body was the hallmark of an innate martial artist.

“Keep dreaming…” Old Wu replied gruffly. “Cultivation relies on opportunity, but it’s not about shortcuts. With my and Old Dan’s abilities, making you an innate martial artist in a short time wouldn’t be hard. But if we did, you’d never achieve true greatness. Only by laying a solid foundation can you rise higher and go farther!”

“I understand!” Though disappointed, Lin Xiaobao’s mind turned elsewhere.

If he learned the body array method in the future, and inscribed a strengthening array on a certain part of his body, wouldn’t that be far more powerful than any enhancement pill? At this thought, a wicked light flashed across his face.

If Old Wu knew how his painstakingly researched body array was being so enthusiastically applied in Lin Xiaobao’s mind, one could only imagine his reaction.

“For the next year, you’ll focus on three areas,” Old Wu began outlining Lin Xiaobao’s training. “First, cultivate your mental strength. Second, learn a martial arts technique. Third, improve your physical constitution. As for your constitution, Old Mo is the true expert.”

“I’ll leave everything to your guidance!” Lin Xiaobao was convinced, having witnessed Old Wu’s mastery of arrays.

“Mental strength is something everyone is born with, but some powerful figures have devised methods to enhance it. The most formidable is ‘Mindwave Divine Technique,’ but training it carries immense risk—especially the first step. Failure can damage the brain, resulting in death or idiocy!” Old Wu’s tone grew grave.

“What’s the usual success rate?” Lin Xiaobao could tell Old Wu hoped he would train this method, but he wasn’t one to gamble with his life.

“Less than one in a thousand,” Old Wu hesitated, fearing he might scare Lin Xiaobao, and decided not to reveal the truth.

But Old Wu underestimated Lin Xiaobao’s shamelessness. Hearing less than one in a thousand, Lin Xiaobao immediately said, “Let’s pick a different technique then!”

“You…” Old Wu was speechless. For a top-tier technique like this, even one in ten thousand would draw countless people risking their lives to learn it. Yet his conservative estimate of less than one in a thousand made this kid instantly refuse.

Lin Xiaobao put on a pitiful expression. “Old Wu, think about it. I have neither a blood feud nor lofty ambitions. Why should I risk my life for this?”

“You may not have a blood feud, but we do. As our disciple, you must help us resolve our troubles. If you won’t train willingly, I’ll make you train!” As soon as Old Wu finished, Lin Xiaobao’s brain felt an indescribable swelling pain. Countless unfamiliar symbols forced their way in, as if his head would burst.

“The path of essence, taking from the surplus to fill the deficit… the path of energy…” Suddenly, everything went black, and Lin Xiaobao blissfully fainted.

“This kid is too slippery. If you don’t hit him hard, he’ll never comply!” Old Wu said angrily after Lin Xiaobao passed out.

“I told you not to mention the danger. He’s shrewder than a rabbit!” Old Mo retorted irritably.