Chapter Forty-One: Master and Disciples Revel Together

A moment of carelessness? Would you jump aside covering your ears out of sheer negligence? None of the disciples present believed Lin Xiaobao’s words. Watching him force out an amiable smile, they felt as though they were gazing at a demon.

This senior brother is ruthless! At that moment, all the official disciples formed such an impression of Lin Xiaobao in their hearts.

The disciple assigned by Long Xingtian felt even more uneasy, the example right before his eyes. What if he was the next to be burned? And if Senior Brother Lin happened to be “careless” and had only brought a single Spring Water Talisman today, what would the consequences be?

“Are you alright?” Lin Xiaobao stepped in front of the disciple who had cast the talisman and asked with apparent concern.

“I’m fine, I’m fine!” The disciple, speaking, kept retreating, leaving Lin Xiaobao rather bored. What was wrong with this guy? As a personal disciple, he had come to comfort him about his injury. Shouldn’t the disciple be grateful, clasping his hand and pledging to recover and serve the people, the Frost and Snow Pavilion, and the motherland or something?

Seeing the other’s lack of cooperation, Lin Xiaobao turned back to the platform and said, “Since you’re alright, let’s begin the class...”

Once Lin Xiaobao sat at the front, the intimidation from his earlier display immediately took effect. None of the official disciples dared utter another word.

Everyone knew Lin Xiaobao’s cultivation couldn’t be that high; he might not even defeat the weakest among them—at least, that was their speculation. But regardless, Lin Xiaobao’s status as a personal disciple meant he was not someone they could challenge directly.

“I don’t know what stage you’ve reached in your formation training. Let’s do this: if you have any questions in your practice, just ask. I’ll answer what I know; what I don’t, wait for the next senior brother to address.” Lin Xiaobao, only going through the motions, was unwilling to commit to more.

But as soon as he finished speaking, silence fell. Who expected him to know anything? To them, he was a personal disciple by connections, perhaps not even a postnatal martial artist. What could he teach? That Spring Water Talisman earlier was likely given by Elder Lin Tian.

Many disciples kept glancing toward the door, and Lin Xiaobao knew what they awaited. But he guessed Long Xingtian wouldn’t appear for another two or three hours.

“Senior Brother Lin, could you explain the Spring Water Talisman? How did you manage what you just did?” One disciple, remembering something, decided to embarrass Lin Xiaobao, as none believed such an advanced talisman was his own handiwork.

“Alright, since everyone is interested, I’ll explain the Spring Water Talisman today.” Assuming the demeanor of a teacher, Lin Xiaobao began gesturing in the air. “Normally, when inscribing the Spring Water Talisman, everyone does it like this, but...”

“The Kan position governs water, water rules the north, metal generates water...” As he spoke, Lin Xiaobao’s gestures in the air subtly changed from before. “Thus, the power of the Spring Water Talisman transforms!”

One talisman—Lin Xiaobao explained it simply and thoroughly, far more intuitively than the records in the formation manuals. Several disciples began to practice on the spot.

Watching Lin Xiaobao’s casual gestures seemed easy, but actually doing it was exceedingly difficult. Repeated failures left many suspecting he was making fools of them.

“I’ve drawn it!” Suddenly, one disciple shouted excitedly.

“Try it out!” Lin Xiaobao nodded for him to proceed. Another disciple threw a Red Fire Talisman, igniting a blaze in the corner of the formation hall. The successful disciple then cast his Spring Water Talisman, which instantly became countless raindrops, with even greater momentum than Lin Xiaobao’s earlier display.

In the blink of an eye, the fire was extinguished. Yet the disciple still shook his head, unsatisfied; the talisman was too ostentatious, lacking the subtle brilliance of Lin Xiaobao’s handiwork.

However, everyone present could see that whatever Lin Xiaobao’s cultivation, his mastery of formations far surpassed theirs.

With a good start, the other disciples began voicing their questions, and Lin Xiaobao answered each in turn. Receiving his answers, the disciples first frowned in thought, then soon burst into joyous realization.

At the Frost and Snow Pavilion, outer disciples struggled desperately to advance and remain within the sect. Only after becoming official disciples could they truly study formations, so while many present had higher cultivation than Lin Xiaobao, their questions about formations were quite elementary. With guidance from advanced mentors, Lin Xiaobao answered with ease, and through his eloquence, many disciples gained new insights.

What began as a class with ulterior motives became a true discussion of formations—in fact, a transmission of formation knowledge, with Lin Xiaobao as their teacher.

Under this atmosphere of mutual enjoyment, time was nearly forgotten. Lin Xiaobao, however, knew that once they left, everyone must pass through the maze before the formation hall, and he would have to restore the formation afterward, so he was in no hurry to end the class.

The lesson lasted a full three and a half hours. The official disciples still felt unsatisfied, and Long Xingtian had yet to emerge from the formation. Lin Xiaobao started to worry for his safety—could the fellow be a formation fool and lose his life inside?

“Well, that’s all for today. If there’s anything else you don’t understand, wait for the next senior brother to answer your questions!” With that, Lin Xiaobao quickly exited the formation hall.

Outside, with his spiritual senses, Lin Xiaobao almost burst out laughing. At that moment, Long Xingtian was stuck in the formation, looking utterly miserable; his clothes unrecognizable, little more than charred scraps, hair and brows singed, blood at the corner of his mouth. It seemed these three hours had not been kind to him!

Shaking his head, Lin Xiaobao darted into the maze, restored the formation, then retreated in front of the hall. Long Xingtian had wanted to embarrass him—how could Lin Xiaobao let such an opportunity slip?

Just as he finished and stood steady, the official disciples emerged from the formation hall.

“Senior Brother Lin, could you come teach us more about formations when you’re free?” Now, many looked at Lin Xiaobao with genuine admiration. In three hours, his profound understanding of formations had deeply convinced them, even those assigned by Long Xingtian.

Lin Xiaobao was quite pleased with such results. He smiled, “Since you all enjoy learning from me, I’ll certainly come whenever I have time and discuss formations with you.”

“Thank you, Senior Brother Lin!” Several official disciples said sincerely. In Lin Xiaobao, they didn’t see the arrogance of other personal disciples. His explanations of formation theory were clearer, and if the Frost and Snow Pavilion ever held a contest for outstanding instructors, none would surpass him.

Had he still been an outer disciple, these people would not have bothered to look at him. Now, they called him “Senior Brother Lin” with genuine warmth. Though many were sincere, all of it rested upon his abilities.

As he laughed and chatted with them, Lin Xiaobao’s thoughts deepened. He gained a greater understanding of this world. Wasn’t any human society built just like this?