Early the next morning, Ling Tian arrived at the small courtyard where his father lived. His father and mother were both there, but Monk Wude was nowhere to be seen.
"Father, where's Master?"
"He's probably gone to prepare a gift for your first meeting. As your master, he can't show up empty-handed, heh heh." Lingyun smiled faintly, joking.
"Uh, there's no need, is there? Master letting me cultivate is already the best gift he could give me." Ling Tian had always wanted to cultivate, and Monk Wude had already given him the best gift of all.
"Hahaha, my disciple sure knows how to say the right thing. Unlike you, you lovesick fool—you make everything you say sound so sickeningly sweet." A burst of hearty laughter suddenly rang out. Before the sound had even faded, Monk Wude was standing before them.
"Back already, you stinking monk? Got everything ready?" Lingyun asked casually, not taking his words to heart.
"Mm, all ready. Now tell me, what formation are we using? My formation skills can't hold a candle to yours, you freak. You can do everything, and you're good at all of it." Wude grumbled as he spoke.
"There are two formations. One will let him sit inside safely and lessen the pain. The other will seal his meridians so they stop devouring the spiritual energy in his body. Remember, the formation is rather complicated." Lingyun dropped his easygoing air and carefully instructed Wude.
"All right, all right. Don't you trust me to get things done? When have I ever made a mistake?" Wude said impatiently.
"I'm just worried, that's all. Here, take the formation diagrams." Lingyun handed him a jade slip.
Wude took the jade slip and scanned it with his spiritual sense. He was instantly astonished. "This is more than 'rather