Chapter Forty: Conquering with Skill

“Today’s lesson is on formations. Everyone is waiting at the Formation Hall, but I have duties to attend to, so I won’t be joining.” After escorting Lin Xiaobao to the entrance of the Formation Hall, Wang Youcheng bowed and hurried away.

Lin Xiaobao glanced around, noting a dozen towering trees planted before the hall. Though seemingly chaotic, their arrangement betrayed an underlying pattern—clearly meant to intimidate newcomers. With a single look, Lin Xiaobao discerned that these trees formed a maze. Anyone unfamiliar with its workings would find themselves hopelessly trapped.

Yet, such a formation was mere child’s play to Lin Xiaobao. Releasing his spiritual sense, he took in every detail of the maze, and a sly smile curved his lips. As expected, this was Dragon Xing Tian’s doing.

At that moment, Dragon Xing Tian was lurking within the maze, waiting for Lin Xiaobao to step in. But Lin Xiaobao was in no rush; he gazed into the distance, as though appreciating the mountain scenery, his face rapt in delight. As his gaze shifted, he slowly turned his back to Dragon Xing Tian.

Once his back was turned, Lin Xiaobao swiftly drew several third-grade spirit jades from his storage bracelet. Forming a sword gesture with his right hand, he channeled inner energy to his fingertips and began inscribing upon the jades at lightning speed. After a brief moment, he pocketed the jades and walked toward the Formation Hall.

Watching Lin Xiaobao approach the maze, Dragon Xing Tian, hidden within, could barely contain his excitement. Though Lin Xiaobao was protected by Elder Lin Tian, Dragon Xing Tian dared not act against him. Still, causing him to lose face would be a satisfying victory.

Dragon Xing Tian was exceedingly cautious. Lin Tian had taught Lin Xiaobao the methods of navigating mazes, so Dragon Xing Tian concealed himself at the edge of the maze’s core. If Lin Xiaobao recognized the formation, Dragon Xing Tian could instantly alter its operation, making the maze even harder to escape.

A direct disciple teaching formal disciples about formations, yet unable to pass the formation before the hall—news of such an embarrassment would surely undermine Lin Xiaobao’s status. Of course, this was merely the beginning; Dragon Xing Tian had harsher tricks in store.

Seeing Lin Xiaobao step into the maze so carelessly, Dragon Xing Tian felt his worries were unfounded. Clearly, Lin Xiaobao had no understanding of formations. Entering so unprepared, even Dragon Xing Tian himself would struggle to escape.

The art of formations was ingeniously subtle. The very first step into a formation was crucial; different approaches triggered different operations. Lin Xiaobao’s casual entry was, in fact, the worst possible choice.

Unbeknownst to Dragon Xing Tian, Lin Xiaobao’s spiritual sense had never left him. Observing Dragon Xing Tian’s expression, Lin Xiaobao’s face bore an even deeper mocking smile.

As soon as Lin Xiaobao stepped into the maze, the scenery vanished, replaced by a blur. With his current strength, he could see only three meters ahead. He immediately stopped.

The spirit jades he had prepared appeared in his palm. With practiced ease, he flicked three of them into the positions of Gen, Xun, and Kan. Instantly, the mist dissipated, and clarity returned.

Conversely, Dragon Xing Tian’s position at the maze’s core plunged into thick fog. Lin Xiaobao then flicked the remaining two jades to Zhen and Kun, and, picking up a brush, quickly ran to the tree at Dui to carve inscriptions.

The Eight Trigrams: Qian, Dui, Xun, Zhen, Kan, Li, Kun, Gen.

Lin Xiaobao altered six positions, deliberately leaving Qian as the path of life and Li as the path of death. If Dragon Xing Tian saw through the formation, he would have to taste every flavor before finding the exit. If not, and he stumbled into Li, governed by fire, he would surely suffer.

Of course, if Dragon Xing Tian had the expertise of the Grand Elder, he could choose the safest and shortest route out. Alternatively, with overwhelming power, he might force his way through. But Lin Xiaobao doubted he possessed either.

Watching Dragon Xing Tian, bewildered and darting around the maze, Lin Xiaobao smiled and headed toward the Formation Hall. He was here to teach, after all.

As for modifying formations, it was another of Elder Wu’s proud achievements, aside from his corporeal formation arts. In Elder Wu’s words, “Formations are dead, people are alive. Once you grasp the principles, any formation in the world can be broken or altered.”

With half a year of self-experimentation—often bordering on self-destruction—Lin Xiaobao had gained insights into basic formations that rivaled even the Grand Elder’s, though higher-level formations still eluded him due to his cultivation.

Standing at the entrance, Lin Xiaobao extended his spiritual sense inside, ensuring there was no danger before stepping in. This wasn’t cowardice; he simply remembered his own days as a mischievous student, wary that a bucket of cold water might drop on his head the moment he entered, leaving him thoroughly drenched.

The entire Fiery Hall was in uproar. As Lin Xiaobao entered, many were taken aback—the scene differed greatly from what they had been led to expect.

Some disciples remained absorbed in their texts. Taking in everyone’s reactions, Lin Xiaobao quickly gauged the mood.

Just then, a streak of light shot toward Lin Xiaobao.

A Red Fire Talisman! Lin Xiaobao’s spiritual sense instantly identified it. While being struck wouldn’t be fatal, it would inflict minor injuries and likely force him into an embarrassing situation.

The Red Fire Talisman was swift, but before Lin Xiaobao’s formidable spiritual sense, its speed was negligible. With a wave of his hand, he caught the talisman, and as he made contact, he quietly sealed it. Lin Xiaobao was intimately familiar with sealing formations.

“Well, it seems everyone is quite diligent in their formation training—already practicing with real talismans in class.” Lin Xiaobao’s cold snort silenced the entire hall.

“Whose Red Fire Talisman was that?” Lin Xiaobao’s gaze swept across the disciples.

According to the rules of the Snowy Pavilion’s selection, formal disciples were almost always over twenty. Now, facing Lin Xiaobao, who looked sixteen or seventeen, the disciples felt uneasy but none dared speak.

Only the disciple who had released the talisman, meeting Lin Xiaobao’s gaze, nervously admitted, “I lost control for a moment and accidentally threw the talisman. Please forgive me, Senior Brother Lin!”

“Not bad—you already know my surname before I’ve introduced myself?” Smiling, Lin Xiaobao walked over, handed the Red Fire Talisman back, and said, “Next time, hold on tight!”

Under Lin Xiaobao’s invisible pressure, the disciple awkwardly took the talisman. Lin Xiaobao immediately covered his ears and jumped aside. With a loud boom, the Red Fire Talisman exploded in the disciple’s palm. Accompanied by a scream, the disciple became a human torch, rolling on the ground.

Lin Xiaobao promptly retrieved a Spring Water Talisman from his storage bracelet and tossed it over, causing a gentle rain to fall upon the disciple’s head.

Seeing only such a mild effect from the Spring Water Talisman, the other disciples showed disdain—it was clearly not even worthy of entry-level status.

But in the next moment, they abandoned their contempt. As the drizzle touched the flames, the fire was instantly subdued, and the disciple’s burns healed before their eyes.

“Sorry, I was careless and forgot I’d only temporarily sealed your Red Fire Talisman.” Lin Xiaobao squeezed out a smile, deliberately making himself appear more endearing. After all, these were students—a good teacher-student relationship was important!