Chapter 179: Master Ban
"Limit of Divine-Sense…"
This was not the first time Mo Hua had heard that term, yet he still did not understand what it truly meant, what was the limit of Divine-Sense, and how could one break through it?
Since he did not understand, he asked softly, "How does one break through the limit of Divine-Sense, Teacher?"
Mister Zhuang looked at him silently.
Realizing his own impatience, Mo Hua scratched his head and smiled sheepishly. "Sir, I'm getting ahead of myself again."
Zhuang's brows lifted slightly, and he chuckled. "It is good to know a little of such things, but do not let your mind dwell on them too much. What is most important for you now is to learn more composite formations. After all, you have already reached the sixth layer of Qi-Refining."
The sixth layer of Qi-Refining, so what of it?
Mo Hua frowned, then suddenly realized something. He was now at the sixth layer, and the next step would be the seventh.
From the sixth to the seventh layer meant crossing from mid-stage Qi-Refining to late-stage Qi-Refining, a true advancement in realm. Which also meant… a bottleneck.
His cultivation method, the Celestial Evolution Art, had bottlenecks bound to Puzzle formations.
If he could not solve those formations, he could not break through. If he could not break through, then everything ahead would be empty talk, he would remain a sixth-layer Qi-Refining cultivator for life.
A chill ran through his heart.
Yes, the most urgent task was to study and practice more array formations, to comprehend and apply them, only then could he unravel the mysteries within the Celestial Evolution Art and advance further.
After taking leave of Mister Zhuang, Mo Hua began planning his array studies in earnest.
First, he would use the Refining Workshop's construction arrays to broaden his application of formation theory, consolidating foundational composite arrays such as the first-grade Earth-Wood Composite Array.
Then he would use refining and alchemy furnaces to study more complex combinations, such as those involving the First-Grade Molten Fire Array.
The cores of these composite arrays were no longer mere connectors between individual arrays, they now controlled, suppressed, and harmonized spiritual energy within the formations.
Mo Hua spent two days referencing the diagrams given by Mister Zhuang. Using the architectural layout of the Refining Workshop as the base, he drafted the full array schematics for the entire building.
When he showed the blueprint to Elder Yu, the elder took one look and his scalp went numb.
The densely packed lines and symbols made his head spin. Elder Yu knew nothing about formations; to him it was like looking at a heavenly scripture. After staring for a while, his mind went blank and he simply waved a hand.
"You handle it. I trust you."
Seeing that Elder Yu approved, Mo Hua nodded.
Elder Yu, however, could not help secretly glancing at him several times, muttering inwardly:
"How in the heavens does this boy's brain work? Such a tangled web of runes, how can he remember it all, let alone draw it?"
He shook his head in disbelief.
A few days later, Elder Yu invited the Chief of the Dao Court Division for several rounds of wine, negotiated with other officials, and finally spent a considerable number of spirit stones to purchase a vast stretch of wasteland in the southern part of Tōngxiān City, along with a few abandoned houses nearby.
This would be the site of their Refining Workshop and Alchemy Workshop, the most suitable and affordable location after much discussion.
Once the location was set, construction could begin.
In the cultivation world, building structures required craftsmen. These craftsmen specialized in architecture and civil construction, originally a branch of artifact forging, but with time it evolved into its own discipline.
There were not many craftsmen in Tōngxiān City, so Elder Yu hired a team from neighboring immortal cities.
Their leader was a craftsman named Master Ban, an old acquaintance of Elder Yu, whose skills were well-known throughout the nearby cities.
Elder Yu met him in a local inn, handing over the architectural array diagram to a dark-skinned, slightly stooped old man.
"Master Ban, the blueprint is ready. You can begin work."
Master Ban took the drawing, glanced at it, and immediately furrowed his brows. "Such a complicated array formation… Which formation masters are you planning to hire for this?"
Elder Yu only smiled. "You'll find out soon enough."
Master Ban was still uneasy. "These runes are intricate and numerous. If your formation masters can't finish or if there aren't enough of them, progress will be badly delayed."
Elder Yu understood his concern and replied, "Do not worry. The schedule will not be delayed, nor will your final payment."
Hearing that promise, Master Ban sighed in relief, though he still felt uneasy.
The formation was enormous and complex. Where in the world was he getting the formation masters for this? Most array experts in Tōngxiān City were friendly with the Qian Clan, and the Qian Clan held a grudge against the Demon Hunters. They would never help.
Hiring outsiders would cost a fortune. Though Elder Yu had recently come into a great number of spirit stones, surely he would not squander them like this.
Frowning, Master Ban puzzled over it for a while, then shrugged it off.
"Why should I care? As long as he pays me on time, that's all that matters."
In times like these, getting paid in full and on schedule was already a blessing. He still had a team of workers who needed to eat.
Thinking of this, he could not help but feel a little envious of Elder Yu.
Word had it that Elder Yu and his Demon Hunters had risked their lives and seized an entire spirit mine from the Qian Clan's grasp.
The Qian Clan had always been the ones to snatch food from others' mouths, this was the first time anyone had snatched theirs. An entire spirit mine, no less. Remarkable.
Master Ban clicked his tongue in admiration.
He and Elder Yu had been friends for many years, and this time Elder Yu was sharing the fortune, giving them this massive construction project.
If they managed to complete both the Refining and Alchemy Workshops, their livelihood would be secured for two years at least. After that, even small jobs would be enough to live comfortably.
No more sleepless nights worrying about work.
Feeling a little lighter, Master Ban urged his apprentices to start immediately, reminding them to work diligently and precisely.
Elder Yu had given them this chance, they had to prove their worth and repay his trust.
The construction of the Refining Workshop thus began in full swing.
The building materials Elder Yu had purchased were delivered in batches to the southern wasteland.
The craftsmen leveled the ground, laid the foundations, and processed the wood, stone, and bricks for use.
Master Ban barely had a moment to breathe. A project of this scale required his supervision from start to finish, every detail had to pass under his eyes. He almost wished he knew a duplication spell.
Several Demon Hunters also came to help. They were not trained builders, but their bodies were tempered and strong. Carrying stone blocks, hauling beams, or digging trenches was easy work for them.
With more hands, progress naturally quickened.
Still, Master Ban remained vigilant.
A large crowd meant disorder, and opportunities for troublemakers.
Over his years of experience, he had seen all sorts of incidents: thrill-seekers sneaking in, thieves looking for valuables, and even saboteurs with ill intent.
Given Elder Yu's conflict with the Qian Clan, the possibility of spies or saboteurs was not small.
Master Ban stayed sharp, scanning every face that entered the site for unfamiliar ones.
And that was when he spotted—by the newly dug foundation—a young cultivator crouched down, peering intently at the ground, head tilted curiously as if studying something.
(End of Chapter)