Chapter Eight: Becoming Disciples of the Two Elders

As a storyteller, Lin Xiaobao had already deduced the general outline of the whole story from Elder Lin Tian’s fragmented words. Clearly, in his youth, someone had been too impulsive and, unable to control himself, had slept with a young woman. For some reason, he was then forced to leave, leaving behind a bracelet as a keepsake, so much so that he didn’t even know whether his own child was a son or a daughter. Who could have foreseen that, after achieving some measure of success years later, he would think to search for his kin, only to encounter someone—Lin Xiaobao himself—who possessed the bracelet, naturally mistaking him for his son.

“You’re not worthy!” When it came to acting, Lin Xiaobao was truly a master; especially after entering this world, his skills had only sharpened in the name of survival. Now, unable to produce a grave to show for it, he had no choice but to display furious indignation, shouting out with grief and defiance.

Indeed, Lin Xiaobao’s outburst only deepened the guilt within Elder Lin Tian’s heart. “Very well, when the day comes that you’re willing to tell me, I’ll go pay respects to your mother.” As he spoke, he flicked his finger, and darkness fell over Lin Xiaobao’s eyes—he immediately lost all consciousness.

In a haze, Lin Xiaobao seemed to fall into a chaotic space. His body lay suspended in midair, surrounded by swirling clouds of gray and white, neither mist nor fog.

“Boy... boy... wake up...”

A buzzing voice echoed in his ears. Lin Xiaobao struggled to open his eyes. All around was pitch darkness—save for four glowing orbs suspended in the air. No! Just as he was about to cry out, his eyes adjusted, and he realized that these four orbs were, in fact, two pairs of eyes.

“Who are you...?”

“Have you forgotten us so soon? Think harder.”

Lin Xiaobao felt as if this day had been too much to bear; his mind was in disarray as he searched his memories. Suddenly, something clicked, and he exclaimed in shock, “You’re the Sage of Alchemy? And the King of Arrays?”

Once he was recognized, Mo Tianya, the Sage of Alchemy, grew anxious. “You’ve witnessed my skill in your dreams—are you willing to become my disciple and learn the art of alchemy?”

“Nonsense! Did he not see my prowess in his dreams as well? In the end, alchemy is just making things for others; how could it ever compare to the art of arrays?” Wu Hengdao, the King of Arrays, was not about to let the Sage of Alchemy snatch away this disciple and immediately started bickering, forgetting their prior agreement.

“You’re really Mo Tianya and Wu Hengdao? Are you truly as powerful as you were in my dreams?” Happiness struck Lin Xiaobao like a bolt from the blue—never had he imagined that the Sage of Alchemy and the King of Arrays would bicker over who would take him as their disciple. It was as if, when all hope was lost, he had suddenly won the grand prize.

“What you saw in your dream was but the tip of the iceberg of our true strength. Our real powers are beyond what anyone in this world could comprehend!” said the Sage of Alchemy. This time, the King of Arrays didn’t contradict him.

“Why did you choose me?” Lin Xiaobao wasn’t entirely opposed to miracles, but he couldn’t believe his luck would be so absurd. “I’m useless at cultivation—my meridians are completely blocked. What possible benefit could you find in choosing me?”

“With me here, blocked meridians are no trouble at all!” Mo Tianya guaranteed, as though afraid Lin Xiaobao might refuse.

Wu Hengdao refused to let Mo Tianya win so easily. “Alchemy is nothing! Even a pig, if it learned my array techniques, would become an extraordinary pig!”

“Still a pig!” Mo Tianya retorted irritably.

“Mo Tianya, are you looking for another fight?” Wu Hengdao shot back, immediately bristling.

“Let’s not fight, please. Could you tell me where this is?” Lin Xiaobao had witnessed their abilities in his dreams; if they started fighting, he’d be lucky to have any remains left.

“This is, of course, your Sea of Spiritual Awareness! When your blood touched the jade pendant, it awakened our souls, allowing us to enter your body and sink into your spiritual sea!” Mo Tianya explained, his tone ingratiating.

Sea of Spiritual Awareness? Lin Xiaobao didn’t know the specifics, but hearing that it was within his own body, he couldn’t help but recall the battle between these two—how Wangtian Peak was reduced to dust in an instant. He shuddered, then said, “If either of you fights here, I’ll refuse to become your disciple!”

Although he didn’t understand why, Lin Xiaobao could tell both men were desperate for him to become their disciple.

The Sage of Alchemy and the King of Arrays exchanged glances. These two old foxes immediately grasped Lin Xiaobao’s concern and declared in unison, “If you refuse to be my disciple, I’ll shatter your spiritual sea!”

“Why are you both so intent on making me your disciple?” At a loss for what to do, Lin Xiaobao could only change the subject.

“I want you to master my alchemy and challenge all array practitioners, to prove that alchemy surpasses arrays!” the Sage of Alchemy proclaimed, almost simultaneously as the King of Arrays declared a similar intention.

“Is that really necessary? Perhaps someone has already surpassed you both in both arts, proving once and for all which is superior!” Lin Xiaobao pleaded, hoping to save his own skin.

“Impossible! Do you think the titles ‘Sage of Alchemy’ and ‘King of Arrays’ are empty boasts? Not only in this world, but even in the greater world beyond, no one has surpassed us in either field!” For once, the two men were in perfect agreement, their faces brimming with pride.

“The greater world?” Lin Xiaobao seized on their expressions, continuing to change the topic while inwardly pondering how to ensure his own safety.

“That’s not something you need to know right now. Just tell us—will you learn alchemy or arrays?” Both men fixed their eyes on him.

Feeling uneasy under their combined gaze, Lin Xiaobao’s eyes suddenly lit up as he said, “If neither in this world nor the greater world are there any who surpass you, what does it matter if I conquer the world? Your true rival is each other. So, I believe you should both teach me your arts—then, through me, you’ll finally know which is superior!”

“You? If we had any other choice, we would never have picked you!” they said in unison once again.

Though their words stung, Lin Xiaobao’s heart leapt with joy. At last, he understood: though he didn’t know why the two of them had ended up trapped in his body and unable to leave, this was the cause of their desperation. Since that was the case, he was no longer afraid they would refuse to teach him.

Still, Lin Xiaobao knew better than to spell things out—after all, these were respected elders, and it wouldn’t do to corner them. So, he knelt solemnly, bent his knees, and said, “Though I never witnessed your glory in its prime, I have felt your grandeur in my dreams. Now, with the chance to become your disciple, I cannot bear to choose one over the other—such a loss would pain me deeply. I beseech you, grant me this honor, take me as your disciple! Master, please accept my bow! No, three bows!”

With that, Lin Xiaobao kowtowed repeatedly before the two of them. He knew his chance to rewrite his fate had finally come.