Chapter 197: Wise Decision
Mo Hua understood.
The tallest tree in the forest is the first to be struck by the wind.
He had been hesitating over whether to formally register his grade, but after hearing Mister Zhuang, he decided to set the matter aside for now.
Mister Zhuang, being experienced and knowledgeable, would not urge him to register his grade unless the timing was wrong.
Mo Hua was an independent rogue cultivator with relatively low cultivation. Going to the Dao Court to register his grade prematurely could draw unnecessary attention, which might not be advantageous.
A formation master's foundation is in formations themselves. As long as one studies formations diligently, everything else will naturally follow, there is no need to rush.
Seeing Mo Hua's expression, Mister Zhuang knew he had understood and quietly nodded.
The boy had a good temperament. At his age, not every formation master could focus single-mindedly and settle down to study formations.
Moreover, Mo Hua was only at Qi Refining level six. Attempting to register his Grade now could be awkward at best; if he succeeded, how could the elderly formation masters, many in their eighties or nineties, bear it?
Excessive talent inevitably provokes envy.
Mister Zhuang sighed and finally said, "Wait until you reach Qi Refining level eight or nine before registering."
"All right, teacher," Mo Hua nodded.
After bidding farewell, Mo Hua devoted all his energy to formations, strengthening his foundation, studying formation patterns, reflecting repeatedly, thinking deeply, and practicing diligently.
As Mister Zhuang had advised: take the time to "settle and refine."
At present, the most important task for Mo Hua was to sketch the composite formation for the refining furnace.
The First-grade Molten Fire Spiritual-Control Composite Formation was complex, incorporating two First-Grade formations, several other types, and special formation pivots controlling spiritual power.
Mo Hua had to integrate these into a single composite formation while matching the internal structure of the large refining furnace, a very difficult task.
At midnight, in the void of his Sea of Consciousness, the ancient and mysterious Dao Stele appeared.
Mo Hua began studying the composite formation on the Dao Stele.
The hardest part of this formation was the Formation Core.
Because the composite formation had to accommodate two First-Grade formations, it demanded higher Divine Sense intensity. Its function was special, controlling the opening and flow of spiritual power, a type of Core Mo Hua had never encountered before.
In previous composite formations, the cores only connected a single formation, making them relatively simple. Now, with more complex functions, the structure of the core was naturally more difficult.
Mo Hua began sketching the core on the Dao Stele.
The first two attempts failed. His Divine Sense was insufficient to complete the core.
He sighed.
Divine Sense was always the first hurdle. Without enough intensity, no formation could be drawn.
Mo Hua had no choice but to follow the old method: erase the core, restore his Divine Sense, and try again.
He practiced over and over, familiarizing himself with the core's structure while using the Dao Stele to strengthen his Divine Sense.
Now, his Divine Sense was sufficient to support most First-Grade formations and most simple composite formations.
It had been a long time since he had clearly felt the limitation of his Divine Sense and had to train relentlessly on the Dao Stele to overcome it.
He even felt a bit nostalgic.
Remembering Mister Zhuang's words, keep drawing, and progress in formations will come naturally, Mo Hua focused his mind, practicing the core of the First-Grade Molten Fire Spiritual-Control Composite Formation repeatedly.
Mistakes were erased and redrawn; insufficient Divine Sense meant starting over.
The entire night passed this way. Mo Hua gained some insight but had not yet mastered it fully.
He was not anxious. If success did not come at once, perseverance, like water wearing stone, was necessary. Calm and steady persistence was key.
He had considered using a simpler First-Grade Molten Fire composite formation as a shortcut, but ultimately decided against it.
The refining furnace was critical to the workshop's success. Its quality affected not only the workshop but also the livelihoods of Tongxian City's Demon Hunters and rogue cultivators. Perfection was essential.
Moreover, future formation studies would present many challenges; the First-Grade Molten Fire composite formation was only the first. Retreating now could cultivate a habit of giving up.
Elder Yu, seeing that Mo Hua still needed time to study formations, began construction of the second-phase Alchemy Workshop.
The Alchemy Workshop was built adjacent to the refining workshop, with similar architecture and layout. With the experience gained from the refining workshop, construction progressed much faster, and personnel arrangements went more smoothly.
As for formations, they were left for later when Mo Hua had time to add them.
...
Meanwhile, at the Qian family.
Master Qian had drawn First-Grade Molten Fire formations on three First-Grade refining furnaces.
As soon as the last stroke was finished, Qian Hong immediately ordered the furnaces delivered to the Qian family's refining hall. He also instructed his disciples to oversee the refining hall's refiners, making them work overtime to produce spiritual tools.
He needed to stockpile standard spiritual tools before the Demon Hunters' refining furnace began production, ensuring an advantage in future competition with Yu Changlin.
The Qian family's refiners hammered and forged refined iron tirelessly, day and night.
One by one, raw spiritual tools were placed in the furnaces, heated to red-hot, removed, meticulously forged, then shaped through special techniques, cooled, polished, and finally completed. They were neatly arranged in the courtyard.
Sweating profusely, the refiners worked tirelessly. Qian Hong watched with great satisfaction.
With three First-Grade furnaces equipped with First-Grade Molten Fire formations, combined with the refiners' ceaseless labor, the output of spiritual tools was considerable.
Even if Yu Changlin's workshop were completed, he could not compete.
Moreover, Demon Hunters would unlikely obtain First-Grade refining furnaces. Even if they did, they could not have First-Grade Molten Fire formations.
The refining furnace was the core of the workshop. An inferior furnace meant losing the competitive edge and slow decline.
The Qian family's workshop thrived, but the refiners were exhausted.
Few of these refiners were minor bloodline members of the Qian family; the majority were ordinary rogue cultivators hired by the family.
These independent cultivators had learned refining techniques but could not afford furnaces or workshops, so they worked for the Qian family to earn a living, a hard-won livelihood.
One steward suggested to Qian Hong: "The weather is hot, and the furnace fire is intense. The refiners are overworked. Perhaps they should rest a while?"
Qian Hong remained unmoved.
The steward persisted: "Please reconsider, Family Head."
Qian Hong glared coldly. "If they don't work hard, how can the Qian family prosper? If they don't endure hardship, should we?"
The steward was silent, then said, "They may grow resentful and difficult to manage."
"No matter." Qian Hong said calmly. "Tell them this: whoever refines the most spiritual tools this month receives an extra three hundred spiritual stones. They will work hard willingly; if it's tough, it's their choice, not ours."
The steward thought for a moment, then cupped his hands. "Family Head, your wisdom is unmatched!"
(End of Chapter)