Chapter 72: The Alchemy Furnace
Elder Feng shook his head. "It should be quite old. The last time the formation was repaired—was it ten or twenty years ago? It's already quite good that it's lasted this long without any issues."
Mo Hua asked, "Then this alchemy furnace…"
Elder Feng twisted the crane-shaped engraving on the furnace's outer wall. The inner and outer layers of the furnace began to rotate separately before finally separating, revealing the formation inscribed on the inner wall.
"I promised to let you try, so naturally, I won't go back on my word—but first, I'll test you a little."
He pointed to the formation on the inner wall. "Tell me, what formations are these?"
Mo Hua stepped closer, studied carefully, and after a moment of thought, replied, "Molten Fire Array, Wood Qi Array, Spirit-Gathering Array… this is a compound formation made up of three arrays?"
Elder Feng was mildly surprised. "You've learned about compound formations too?"
Formations constructed from a single set of runes are called single arrays. When several are interlinked, they form a compound formation.
Compound formations produce stronger effects and can handle more complex spiritual flows, but they can't be learned without solid foundation and lineage—let alone by an ordinary rogue cultivator.
Elder Feng knew Mo Hua studied formation arts and possessed extraordinary Divine-Sense, but he hadn't expected the boy to recognize a compound formation at a glance.
Mo Hua scratched his head shyly. "I can't actually draw compound formations yet. I just read about them in books. I still haven't mastered ordinary single arrays."
Elder Feng nodded. "At your age, knowing this much is already impressive. This is a Wood-Fire Spirit-Control Array—a compound formation that channels both fire and wood spiritual forces. The wood essence nourishes herbs, the fire refines their medicinal properties, and the formation harmonizes both to craft the desired pill."
"This looks way more complicated than a refining furnace," Mo Hua murmured, tongue-tied.
"Still want to give it a try?"
"Mm." Mo Hua nodded. "I can't draw a compound formation, but if it's just repairing the damaged runes, I should be able to follow the pattern and patch it up."
Liu Ruhua tugged his hand gently. "If you're not confident, don't force it. Don't trouble Elder Feng."
Elder Feng smiled. "It's fine. Let him draw freely. Even if he makes mistakes, it doesn't matter—consider it practice. Whether alchemy or formations, if you're afraid of mistakes, you'll never truly understand them."
"Thank you, Grandpa Feng!"
Mo Hua cheerfully accepted, requested fire and wood spiritual ink, and began repairing the array.
This Wood-Fire Spirit-Control Array had lost function due to years of alchemy; several runes had worn down and could no longer conduct spiritual power. Mo Hua's task was simple: repaint the dim and broken lines so that spiritual energy could circulate freely again.
Holding his formation brush, Mo Hua dipped it in spirit ink and began to paint.
Elder Feng silently nodded with approval. His strokes were steady and fluid—proof of diligent practice. Clearly, this child had put in serious effort.
Among the three arrays, two runes were fully broken, and another six or seven were dim and required retracing.
Mo Hua's Divine-Sense wasn't strong enough to handle that many in one go, and his spiritual power was running low, so he paused to rest several times before finally completing the repair.
For someone only at the third layer of Qi-Refining to finish eight or nine rune repairs—even with breaks—was beyond Elder Feng's expectations.
Elder Feng's eyes now carried a touch of respect.
"Grandpa Feng, I'm done. Could you check if the alchemy furnace is working now?"
"Oh? Let me see."
Elder Feng refocused and examined the furnace. Though he had an inkling of the outcome, he still couldn't hide his astonishment when he confirmed it. "Excellent—it's truly repaired! You've done this old man a great favor."
Mo Hua grinned happily.
Liu Ruhua tapped his forehead lightly. "Elder Feng praised you a few times and you're already getting smug."
Her tone carried mild reproach, but her eyes brimmed with warmth.
Elder Feng fired up the furnace and spent an hour refining a batch of pills. When it was done, he poured them into a blue-and-white porcelain bottle and handed it to Liu Ruhua.
"Take two pills, morning and night. Come back when you finish them."
Liu Ruhua bowed slightly. "Thank you, Elder Feng."
Mo Hua followed suit. "Thank you, Grandpa Feng."
As they were leaving, Elder Feng suddenly called out, thought for a moment, and said earnestly:
"Hua'er, if you meet struggling cultivators in the future, help them if it's within your means."
Mo Hua nodded but asked curiously, "Grandpa Feng, why do you say that?"
Elder Feng looked at him deeply. "I'm old now. My whole life, I've only managed to help the scattered cultivators of this little region—refining pills, curing illnesses. But you're different. You have the potential to help many more in the future."
"To comprehend the Heavenly Dao and benefit all living beings—that's what my master taught me. He saved me when I was destitute and passed on the art of alchemy. That's why I stand where I am today."
Elder Feng's master had lived by that creed—saving others, teaching alchemy—and Elder Feng, in turn, had saved Liu Ruhua and the frail newborn Mo Hua.
Mo Hua was deeply moved. He nodded solemnly. "Grandpa Feng, I'll remember that."
Elder Feng smiled with relief.
Mo Hua then asked, "But what if some people don't deserve to be helped?"
Elder Feng chuckled softly. "Not helping those unworthy of help… is also a kind of helping."
When they got home, Mo Hua went back to his room to study formation theory, while Liu Ruhua tidied up the eatery before sitting down in the hall to mend clothes.
Just as midnight arrived, Mo Shan returned, weary and dusty from his demon-hunting trip. He had several beast pelts over his shoulder and a few Storage Rings tied at his waist. His clothes were scratched and stained with blood, but upon seeing his wife, his weary expression softened.
"Why aren't you asleep yet?"
Liu Ruhua helped him remove the pelts and bags, fetched clean clothes for him. "I can't rest if you're not back. Did you get hurt this time?"
"Just a few scratches. I've applied medicine—it's fine. Where's Hua'er?"
"He's in his room reading. Probably asleep by now."
"Mm."
As Liu Ruhua served the meal, Mo Shan devoured it ravenously. The dim candlelight flickered gently, and peace filled the room.
Seeing the faint smile at his wife's lips, Mo Shan asked, "Something good happen today?"
"Mhm," Liu Ruhua said softly. "Elder Feng praised Hua'er's formation work…"
She recounted the day's events, then sighed. "People often say Hua'er is talented, but folks always praise clever children—it doesn't always mean much. Yet Elder Feng has vast experience. If even he says Hua'er has talent, then maybe our child truly can become a formation master someday."
She let out a long breath. "My frail body caused Hua'er to be born weak. Here in Tōngxiān City, where most cultivators survive by hunting demons, Hua'er can't become a demon hunter. We can't protect him forever. I've often worried—if anything happens to us, how will he survive on his own? But now… if he can become a formation master, he won't have to fight and kill beasts. I can finally be at ease."
Mo Shan clasped her hand gently. "Don't worry. Hua'er is bright and sensible—he'll grow up well. We'll watch him rise, see him make a name for himself, marry, and start his own family. So you must take care of yourself. We still have a long road ahead."
"Mm." Liu Ruhua nestled softly into his arms.
Inside the other room, Mo Hua opened his eyes. Since he'd been training day and night, his Divine-Sense had grown much stronger, allowing him to clearly hear his parents' conversation.
His eyes glistened faintly. He wiped the corners of his eyes, then sank his Divine-Sense into his Sea of Consciousness and resumed practicing formations upon the Dao Stele.
(End of Chapter)