Chapter 195: First-Grade Molten Fire Array
With Elder Feng and Master Chen both agreeing, Mo Hua informed Elder Yu of the matter.
Elder Yu was somewhat surprised. "Elder Feng agreed as well?"
Although Elder Feng's cultivation was only at the ninth level of Qi Refinement, he was a First-grade alchemist who ran an alchemy hall in Tōngxiān City. Over the years, he had treated countless patients, had extensive connections, and enjoyed high prestige among cultivators.
Previously, Elder Yu had visited him, hinting at this matter, but Elder Feng had politely declined, citing his age and fatigue as reasons.
He hadn't expected Elder Feng to agree now.
With Elder Feng's mastery of alchemy and extensive connections, the Alchemy Workshop would certainly have no shortage of alchemists.
Curious, Elder Yu asked, "How did you persuade them?"
Mo Hua frowned. "I didn't really say much. It's simply a benefit for everyone. Grandpa Feng and Master Chen usually wouldn't refuse such a thing."
Though they didn't refuse you, they refused me…
Elder Yu looked at Mo Hua and sighed. This child's sense of face seemed even bigger than that of a Foundation Establishment elder…
Mo Hua returned to the main topic. "Elder Yu, what about the artifact furnace you bought?"
"It's on the way, it should arrive in a few days."
Tōngxiān City sold artifact furnaces, but none were First-grade. Even a few sellers who claimed to have one dared not sell due to the Qian family's influence.
Elder Yu had no choice but to use his connections to buy a new First-grade furnace from a neighboring city.
"Hopefully it won't be snatched away," Mo Hua said anxiously.
"Payment upon delivery. If it's taken, it's not our fault. I must see it arrive at the Refining Workshop's door myself before giving them the spirit stones."
Mo Hua nodded.
As expected of Elder Yu, meticulous and cautious, never acting without seeing. Mo Hua thought it was a good habit he should learn.
"And the formations on the furnace… no problems, right?" Elder Yu asked.
Mo Hua patted his chest. "Don't worry, leave it to me. I haven't mastered it yet, but I should soon."
Learning on the spot…
Elder Yu felt complicated. With most other formation masters, learning formations on the fly would be risky. But with Mo Hua, it wasn't a concern.
"Let me know when the furnace arrives."
"Mm, will do," Elder Yu nodded.
The following time, Mo Hua devoted himself to learning the First-grade Molten Fire Formation.
...
Meanwhile, Master Qian arrived at the study to meet Family Head, Qian Hong.
Master Qian's face was slightly pale, his expression a bit tired, but his spirit was sharp, and his eyes gleamed with excitement.
"Family Head, after days of diligent research, I've completely mastered the First-grade Molten Fire Formation!"
Qian Hong raised his eyebrows, delighted. "Thank you, Master Qian. I'll order a First-grade artifact furnace within the family to be cleared of previous formations, so you can personally inscribe the First-grade Molten Fire Formation."
Qian Hong cupped his hands. "This task is entrusted to you, Master."
"Of course," Master Qian replied.
Qian Hong relaxed. "With this, we can seize the advantage."
The Demon Hunters' Refining Workshop was completed smoothly, and all other preparations were progressing rapidly. Elder Yu had even purchased a First-grade furnace from another region, which put pressure on Qian Hong.
Artifact refining relies heavily on the furnace.
If their furnaces and formations were superior to the Demon Hunters', the spirit tools they refined would be of higher quality and quantity.
Any attempt by Elder Yu to compete would be futile.
Once Elder Yu's Refining Workshop ran at a loss, it was only a matter of time before it would be taken over. All of Elder Yu's efforts would have merely dressed the Qian family's success.
Qian Hong calculated carefully. The only variable left was the formation.
In most cultivation-based trades, formations are critical.
Still unsure, Qian Hong asked, "Are you certain the Demon Hunters' formation master cannot master a First-grade Molten Fire Formation?"
Master Qian waved his hand. "Rest assured, they absolutely cannot!"
Qian Hong was puzzled. "Why are you so certain?"
Master Qian smiled calmly. "Before I mastered it, I couldn't be certain. But now that I have, it's clear. This formation is very difficult, ordinary formation masters cannot learn it!"
Qian Hong frowned. "Is it really that difficult?"
"Family Head, you are not a formation master, so you may not understand the difficulty."
Master Qian explained: "The First-grade Molten Fire Formation is somewhat obscure compared to standard fire-based formations. Its strokes deviate slightly, though the formation core structure is standard. The real challenge is the higher demand on Divine-Sense."
Qian Hong's gaze sharpened. "All First-grade formations, yet some demand more Divine-Sense than others?"
"Family Head, formations manifest the Dao. Their grade is human-defined. Can a manifestation perfectly follow human-imposed standards?" Master Qian said seriously.
"Thus, even within the same grade, formations vary in difficulty. Some require more Divine-Sense, some less. Overall, they fall within the same framework, with minor deviations."
Qian Hong sighed. "Formations truly are profound and vast."
Master Qian continued, "Compared to other First-grade formations, the First-grade Molten Fire Formation requires slightly more Divine-Sense. Don't underestimate this, when Divine-Sense approaches its limit, every extra bit is arduous. This extra requirement is a significant barrier; not all formation masters can surpass it."
"Moreover, its formation strokes are rare, requiring extensive practice. But due to the high Divine-Sense demand, over-practicing is inadvisable. Mastering it is extremely difficult. Whoever can truly learn it has the strength of a First-grade formation master."
Qian Hong, though partially understanding, grasped the key point and congratulated him warmly:
"Master, having comprehended this formation, your skill has surely advanced. Next grading, the title of First-grade formation master will be within reach."
"You flatter me. I've merely increased my confidence. Until everything is settled, nothing is certain."
Master Qian was modest, yet clearly proud.
Truly, First-grade formation masters in Tōngxiān City were few, and he was about to become one of them!
Qian Hong immediately ordered the preparation of a First-grade artifact furnace for Master Qian to inscribe the formation.
...
Two days later, Mo Hua also mastered the First-grade Molten Fire Formation.
Though he had learned it, Mo Hua frowned slightly.
Normally, he could master a First-grade formation in a day or two. But the First-grade Molten Fire Formation had taken him four or five days of practice to complete.
It wasn't because the formation demanded excessive Divine-Sense.
In Mo Hua's view, the Divine-Sense requirement was slightly higher, but only slightly, far less than that of a complex multi-layer First-grade formation.
His slow progress was due to the formation strokes being uncommon. Mo Hua was used to standard formation patterns, and deviations easily caused mistakes.
After repeated practice for several days, he memorized the strokes and completed the First-grade Molten Fire Formation.
"This First-grade Molten Fire Formation is indeed somewhat difficult."
Mo Hua nodded in agreement.
(End of Chapter)