Is It Reasonable for Me to Start a Sect at 12?

Of course, the carving wasn't done directly on the array disc but rather on the layer of spiritual energy that hovered above it.

Lin Xiao had already memorized the diagram for the Pest-Killing Array earlier in the morning when he carefully studied that section of the book. Ever since reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, Lin Xiao had noticed that his memory had significantly improved. Remembering basic things like the Pest-Killing Array had become easy for him—it was almost like he had a photographic memory.

Mo Yuanjiao and Mo Shiwei sat quietly on their cushions, watching Lin Xiao as he controlled the array disc and meticulously carved the array pattern. They admired how Lin Xiao's spiritual energy seemed to flow endlessly, with no sign of depletion.

In contrast, the two of them were still struggling to properly use a basic Dust Removal Technique. The last time Mo Yuanjiao successfully used it to clean his teeth, it had drained his spiritual energy completely.

But Lin Xiao, on the other hand, showed no signs of exhaustion, continuously channeling his spiritual energy as if it were an infinite resource.

In just a few short moments, Lin Xiao finished the carving. However, this first attempt was a bit rough. His control over the spiritual energy was still a bit unrefined, and he hadn't perfectly timed the infusion of energy at crucial points. Although the array pattern was completed, it looked somewhat crooked.

Without needing to test it, Lin Xiao knew that this array wouldn't function optimally if it were imprinted and used.

But for a first attempt, Lin Xiao was satisfied with the outcome. He didn't waste any imprinting paper; instead, he withdrew the spiritual energy from the array disc, causing the pattern to disappear.

Mo Yuanjiao and Mo Shiwei, who had been watching silently, didn't really understand what was happening.

Lin Xiao, noticing their attentiveness, pulled out the Basic Array Carving Guide from his storage and handed it to them.

"If you're bored sitting there, you can read this. The first few pages cover the simplest arrays. You can try carving them later."

Mo Shiwei took the book and passed it to Mo Yuanjiao. Holding the heavy tome, Mo Yuanjiao excitedly asked, "Sect Leader Senior Brother, can we really try it later?"

Lin Xiao nodded. "Of course. I'll control the array disc, and you'll just need to channel your spiritual energy into the carving knife and start drawing the patterns."

Earlier, Lin Xiao had noticed that while controlling the carving knife required some skill, it didn't consume much spiritual energy. This made it an excellent exercise for practicing spiritual energy control.

Encouraged by Lin Xiao's confirmation, Mo Yuanjiao eagerly nodded, "I'll study hard!"

With that, he placed the book between himself and Mo Shiwei, and the two began to study it intently.

Seeing this, Lin Xiao felt a sense of satisfaction. It was good that they were eager to learn. Perhaps if they mastered all four skills—array formation, talisman crafting, artifact forging, and alchemy—they might achieve a ranking of one star or higher, thus completing the sect's technical skill-building mission. And who knows, maybe one of them could excel in all four disciplines!

Shaking off these far-reaching thoughts, Lin Xiao returned to carving the Pest-Killing Array for a second time.

This time, with the experience of his first attempt and his refined control over spiritual energy as a Foundation Establishment cultivator, the process went smoothly. The carving flowed effortlessly, as if he were guided by the heavens.

A moment later, Lin Xiao looked at the perfectly carved Pest-Killing Array with satisfaction. He grabbed a piece of imprinting paper from the nearby table and laid it over the array disc.

A flash of light passed over the paper, and the spiritual energy that had formed the array pattern on the disc was transferred entirely to the imprinting paper, creating a complete Pest-Killing Array diagram.

Seeing that Mo Yuanjiao and Mo Shiwei were still engrossed in the Basic Array Carving Guide, Lin Xiao quietly carved eight more Pest-Killing Arrays and imprinted them onto the paper.

Estimating that the two would need some time to finish reading, Lin Xiao didn't disturb them. He tucked the Pest-Killing Arrays into his robe and quietly left the Array Formation Hall.

He wanted to let his father test them out.

Arriving at the terraced fields behind the sect, Lin Xiao saw Lin Da You and Lin Yun busy planting seeds in the soil. Nearby, Liu Yunan and Yang Jinshu were carrying buckets of water toward the fields.

Lin Xiao slapped his forehead in realization.

He had forgotten to bring out the Irrigation Technique he created last night for everyone to learn.

Quickly, he approached Liu Yunan and Yang Jinshu and said, "Aunt Yang, Baldy, I have an irrigation technique here that you can use to water the fields."

As he spoke, he pulled out the yet-to-be-copied Irrigation Technique from his storage.

"I haven't had time to make copies yet, so you two will have to share for now. I'll make more copies when I get the chance."

Yang Jinshu smiled warmly and replied, "No need, Xiao. Do you have the brush, ink, and paper? I can copy it myself."

Realizing this was a good idea, Lin Xiao handed over a set of brush, ink, and paper from the supplies he had left after setting up the Talisman Crafting Room. He also pulled out a few sheets of paper from the stack he bought in town and handed them to her.

"Thank you, Aunt Yang."

Yang Jinshu shook her head with a gentle smile. "You've provided us with so many conveniences for cultivation. Helping with a little copying is nothing. In fact, I'm glad to be of use—it makes me feel more at ease."

Then, she turned to Liu Yunan and said, "Nan'er, I'm going to copy this technique. You stay here and continue fetching water for Uncle Lin."

With that, Yang Jinshu headed off to make copies of the Irrigation Technique.

Lin Xiao helped carry the full buckets of water to the field's edge and then stopped Liu Yunan from going back for more water.

Grinning mischievously, Lin Xiao said, "Watch this!"

He turned and cast the Irrigation Technique over the sun-scorched field.

Immediately, a thin layer of clouds gathered about two meters above the field. In the next moment, those clouds began to release a fine, steady drizzle.

The rain was so light and gentle that Lin Da You and Lin Yun, who were still busy planting seeds in the field, didn't notice it at first. It wasn't until they felt a cool sensation spreading across their bodies that they realized it was raining.

But the sun was still shining brightly overhead.

After looking around for a moment, they realized that it was only raining in their field.

When Lin Yun turned and saw Lin Xiao standing at the edge of the field with a smug grin, he shouted, "Er-lang! Did you do this? What's going on?"

Hearing his son's voice, Lin Da You also turned and spotted Lin Xiao, whose expression radiated pride.

Seeing his son's smug look, Lin Da You felt an old, familiar impulse.

He wanted to take off his shoe.

Not for any particular reason—it was just a reflex he had developed over the years.