Chapter Forty-Eight: The Talisman Competition

With a glance at the pillars of the arena, Lin Xiaobao recognized a defensive formation, likely intended to protect the audience below from the effects of combat on the stage.

Zou Wenshan offered Lin Xiaobao a deep bow and said, “Greetings, Senior Brother Lin. My challenge today bears no ill intentions; I sincerely wish to seek your guidance in the arts of formations and talismanic symbols. I will not employ any martial skills in our contest. If I give offense in any way, I beg your forgiveness, Senior Brother.”

Observing Zou Wenshan’s earnest expression, Lin Xiaobao felt a sense of familiarity. After a brief recollection, he realized this was the very student who had been the first to draw the Springwater Talisman during his guest lecture on formations.

“Please, Junior Brother, begin,” Lin Xiaobao replied, noting that Zou Wenshan had planted his sword in the ground, clearly unwilling to resort to force. This gesture earned Lin Xiaobao considerable goodwill toward him.

“Forgive me, Senior Brother Lin!” As soon as Zou Wenshan spoke, he slung his talisman pouch over his shoulder, and his entire demeanor changed dramatically.

The talisman pouch was, of course, for storing talismans to be used in combat. Not everyone enjoyed Lin Xiaobao’s privilege of first a storage pouch, then a storage bracelet; most disciples of the Frost and Snow Pavilion still led rather austere lives.

“Make your move,” Lin Xiaobao said. Having devoted himself to the study of formations lately, he found Zou Wenshan’s approach to combat rather likable. At the very least, he had resolved to go easy on anyone bold enough to challenge him.

With a loud shout, Zou Wenshan began to move swiftly, circling around Lin Xiaobao in search of an opening.

Yet Lin Xiaobao stood utterly still, as if unfazed by his opponent’s maneuvers.

This scene, in the eyes of many disciples, seemed to suggest that Lin Xiaobao, knowing he was outmatched in speed, was simply putting on a show of magnanimity. Some even speculated that, seeing Zou Wenshan bore him no ill will, Lin Xiaobao hoped to lose deliberately to avoid a beating.

As he continued to move, Zou Wenshan realized that despite Lin Xiaobao’s immobility, he couldn’t find a single opportunity to strike. Lin Xiaobao stood right before him, yet somehow seemed to exist in another plane—no matter how he attacked, he couldn’t land a blow.

This sensation made Zou Wenshan realize that perhaps Senior Brother Lin was far from the simple figure of legend.

“Zou Wenshan, if you’re no good, just get off the stage! Are you here to perform monkey tricks?”

“If you want to stand out, this isn’t the way! Do you think running in circles will get you noticed by some elder and taken as a personal disciple?”

The audience, growing impatient with Zou Wenshan’s inaction, began to jeer.

Things could not continue like this; Zou Wenshan realized that if he did, he would exhaust himself before even making a move. Plunging both hands into his talisman pouch, he gave a fierce wave, sending a dozen talismans of various kinds flying at once. Even as he did, he called out again, “Senior Brother Lin, be careful!”

Since the opponent’s courtesy was genuine, Lin Xiaobao responded in kind. Just as the talismans drew within three feet, he finally moved.

Lin Xiaobao’s hands darted like butterflies among flowers. With a few deft motions, he caught all the talismans out of the air. The entire Frost and Snow Hall fell silent.

Regardless of Lin Xiaobao’s cultivation, this feat alone commanded respect for his mastery in formation arts. To neutralize ten talismans at once, so effortlessly, was a feat few, even among the personal disciples, could achieve.

Seeing his prized talismans seized so easily, Zou Wenshan’s face fell with dejection. His talent in formations had always exceeded that of his peers, and after Lin Xiaobao’s guidance, he had refined his talismans further, earning himself a place among the top ten in the formal disciples’ competition.

Yet now, his proud creations were nothing in Lin Xiaobao’s eyes—not even enough to make him take a step. The gulf between them was painfully clear.

With a flick of his wrist, Lin Xiaobao produced a wolf-hair brush and began to inscribe new patterns on the talismans he held.

What? He’s modifying the talismans? This act shocked the onlookers even more; even Long Xingtian rose from his seat in surprise.

To draw talismanic symbols is one thing—to alter someone else’s talisman is quite another. Not only is it several times more difficult, but a single misstep could cause the talisman to detonate and injure the user.

In a matter of moments, Lin Xiaobao had finished modifying all ten talismans. With a casual toss, the talismans floated gently back to Zou Wenshan.

Zou Wenshan understood that Lin Xiaobao was offering him instruction. He received the talismans with reverence, and upon examining them, his expression changed dramatically. He bowed deeply to Lin Xiaobao, performing the formal salute of a disciple to a master.

Then he leapt from the arena and hurried toward the exit, as if whatever contest remained held no further appeal.

Zou Wenshan’s talismans had once shone brilliantly in the formal disciples’ competition, but his performance now made it clear that Lin Xiaobao’s attainment in formations and talismanic arts far surpassed his own.

Some disciples who had come merely for amusement now began to understand why Elder Lin Tian had chosen Lin Xiaobao as his personal disciple. Still, they wondered—given Lin Xiaobao’s talent in formations, shouldn’t he have apprenticed himself to the Grand Elder instead?

Of all present, none was more deeply affected than Nie Feiyan. Noted for her exceptional talent in formations and chosen by the Grand Elder, she had, after years of tutelage, long considered herself the foremost formation expert of her generation within the Frost and Snow Pavilion. Yet witnessing Lin Xiaobao’s handling of the talismans just now left her in cold sweat. Judging by his skill, even compared to the Grand Elder, Lin Xiaobao’s abilities might not fall much behind.

“Senior Brother Lin’s mastery in formations truly commands admiration!” Before the audience could fully recover from their shock, a figure flashed onto the arena. “I am Thunderblade. Ranked ninth in the formal disciples’ competition, I’ve come to seek your guidance, Senior Brother!” With a clang, he drew his sword, the tip pointing directly at Lin Xiaobao. “We have all seen—and admired—your skill in formations and talismans. Might you also honor me with a few exchanges of swordplay, Senior Brother?”

“You mean, you want to compare swords?” Lin Xiaobao replied, a subtle smile tugging at his lips.

“Indeed. If Senior Brother intends only to use talismans, then let’s not compete—I’ll concede at once!” Thunderblade replied, his gaze flickering.

“Nonsense! Aren’t talismans a valid means of attack? Why should Senior Brother Lin abandon his strengths?”

“Why don’t you toss aside your sword and challenge him in formations instead?”

Thunderblade’s words immediately provoked an outcry from the formal disciples. Everyone knew Lin Xiaobao’s background; some had come today hoping to see him humiliated. Yet his display had won the respect of many just-minded disciples, who now berated Thunderblade for such an unreasonable demand.

“Rest assured, your Senior Brother Lin will make you admit defeat fair and square. As a personal disciple, one is expected to master all things!” At that moment, Long Xingtian stood and shouted loudly.