Chapter 191: Assertion
Chapter 191: Assertion
Now that the Artifact Refining Store had been built and the arrays set up, there was no longer any opportunity for them to cause trouble.
Once the outer walls were enclosed and the arrays activated, it would be nothing but a pipe dream for them to try and infiltrate the premises.
Master Qian turned to look at the store once more and asked, "Master Qian, do you know what arrays they've used in the store?"
"Arrays used in buildings usually revolve around earth and wood elements. As for the specific arrays, I'm not an array master, so I'm not sure," replied Qian Hong after a moment's thought.
"You're familiar with this array, Master Qian," Master Qian said calmly.
Qian Hong's eyes narrowed as he thought, and then he said, "Are you talking about the array used at the spirit mine entrance that day?"
"Indeed!" Master Qian nodded. "Among the first-grade arrays, there's one called the Earth and Stone Array, which can fortify earth and stone, providing defense against external forces. If I'm not mistaken, the outer walls of the Artifact Refining Store are using this very Earth and Stone Array."
Qian Hong frowned, suddenly realizing something.
"One Earthfire Array and one Earth and Stone Array," Master Qian continued. "They used these two arrays before, and they're still using them now. Just as I expected, that array master from the Demon Hunters doesn't know many arrays, so he has to keep reusing these two..."
"It's not his fault, really," Master Qian sighed. "First-grade arrays are not easy to learn. For him to have mastered these two is already quite impressive."
Qian Hong nodded slightly. Arrays were indeed difficult to learn, especially first-grade ones, which were exceptionally challenging.
Not only were arrays hard to learn, but they were even harder to counter.
During the previous battle with the Demon Hunters on Unnamed Peak, these two arrays had given the Qian Family a hard time. If it hadn't been for those arrays, their losses wouldn't have been so severe.
That old good-for-nothing, Yu Changlin, and those Demon Hunters wouldn't have been able to escape with so many spirit stones.
The thought of it still pained Qian Hong.
"Now that the Artifact Refining Store is built, we don't need to worry about it anymore, Master Qian. You can proceed with your plans," Master Qian said.
Qian Hong nodded. "Yu Changlin built the Artifact Refining Store to refine spiritual artifacts and take our business. We just need to act faster, refine more and better artifacts, lower our prices, and put them out of business before they even start..."
"The key to mass-producing artifacts lies in the artifact refining furnace," Qian Hong said, and then asked, "How is your progress with the first-grade Melting Fire Array used for the artifact refining furnace?"
Master Qian stroked his beard. "I've been working day and night to understand it, and now I've grasped most of it. It won't be long before I fully master it."
Qian Hong's face lit up with joy, and he cupped his hands respectfully. "Thank you for your hard work, Master."
Master Qian returned the gesture. "As a member of the Qian Family, supported by the family, it is my duty to do my best for the family. You're too kind, Master Qian."
Qian Hong suddenly thought of something but hesitated to speak.
Master Qian noticed and said, "If you have something on your mind, Master Qian, please don't hesitate to say it."
Qian Hong furrowed his brows. "Do you think that array master from the Demon Hunters might have also mastered the first-grade Melting Fire Array? Otherwise, why would Yu Changlin bother building the Artifact Refining Store?"
Master Qian was slightly taken aback but agreed after some consideration. However, he then shook his head and said, "No, that's impossible. The first-grade Melting Fire Array is different from other first-grade arrays. Its array patterns are more intricate, and its array core is more complex. It's not something one can easily learn. If he truly knew the Melting Fire Array, along with the Earthfire and Earth and Stone Arrays, he would already have the strength of a first-grade array master."
"First-grade array masters are highly respected. They are treated as honored guests by their families and sects. How could he lower himself to associate with those wandering cultivators?"
Qian Hong felt that this made sense but still worried. "But what if he really knows how to set up the Melting Fire Array?"
"Rest assured, Master Qian," Master Qian reassured him. "Even if that array master knows how to set up the Melting Fire Array, he can only create a basic version with five or six array patterns. It won't be the authentic first-grade Melting Fire Array.
Previously, as he had no use for it, he hadn't bothered to learn it. Now that he wanted to attempt a first-grade composite array that included the Melting Fire Array, he needed to take the time to study it.
After learning it, he found that the Melting Fire Array was indeed tricky to master. The array patterns were more complex than those of a typical fire-attribute array, and the amount of spiritual sense required for the array core was quite high. Mo Hua had been practicing for a day and a half when he began to get a handle on it, but then he noticed Elder Yu looking worried.
"Elder, is the Qian family causing trouble again?" Mo Hua asked.
Elder Yu shook his head. "We don't have enough refiners."
"How many are we short?"
"About ten."
"That many?" Mo Hua was surprised. "There should be quite a few refiners in the city. Don't they want to come?"
"Yes," Elder Yu said helplessly. "Some of them already have their own refining businesses and aren't willing to move. Others don't want to work for someone else and be constrained, or they have reclusive personalities and prefer to work alone... In any case, there are all sorts of reasons, but the result is that they don't want to come."
"Are they also worried about the Qian family?"
Elder Yu nodded. "They have that concern, too. They're afraid of the Qian family causing trouble, and they're also afraid that we won't be able to stand up to the Qians, which would bring them bad luck as well."
"Oh." Mo Hua nodded, then asked, "Is Chen Shi willing to come?"
"Which Chen Shi?"
"The one from Chen's Refining Shop on South Street, near the small pond. He's skinny with a dark face."
"Oh, him." Elder Yu remembered. "He doesn't want to come either."
Mo Hua put down the unfinished Melting Fire Array and said, "I'll go and see him."
"What will you see him for? Will he even listen to you?" Elder Yu was taken aback.
"Not sure, but it's worth a try. I get along quite well with Chen Shi," Mo Hua said.
Elder Yu looked at the ten-year-old Mo Hua, who was half his height, and couldn't imagine how the two of them could be on good terms.
"Well, you can try, and I'll look for some other refiners as well," Elder Yu said.
"Okay, I will," Mo Hua replied.
After that, Mo Hua returned home and asked his mother for some wine and meat, which he put into a food box and then into his storage bag. He then made his way to Chen's Refining Shop and found Chen Shi.
Chen Shi was instructing Da Zhu and the others in their blacksmithing, and the sound of hammering filled the air along with flying sparks.
Mo Hua had to call out a few times before Chen Shi heard him. He told Da Zhu to practice on his own and then washed his hands, wiped his sweat, and invited Mo Hua into the courtyard.
There were several small stools and tables in the courtyard.
Mo Hua chose a small stool to sit on and then took out the wine and meat from his storage bag.
"This is a treat from me!" Mo Hua said.
"Oh, I couldn't possibly accept this..." Chen Shi said, his eyes fixed on the wine pot.
"Don't be polite!" Mo Hua said.
Chen Shi didn't refuse further, as he and Mo Hua were quite close, and he didn't consider Mo Hua an outsider. So he smiled and said, "In that case, I won't stand on ceremony."
Chen Shi then called out to his group of disciples, "Everyone, take a break and come have something to eat."
The group of refining disciples were delighted and immediately stopped their work, gathering around the table.
Ever since Mo Hua had entered the door and placed the food box on the table, their minds had wandered from refining.
Refining was physically demanding, and as they were all young and tall, they got hungry easily.
The refining business wasn't very lucrative, so they were usually just able to fill their stomachs. It was rare for them to get to eat something tasty. So when they saw the meat that Mo Hua had placed on the table, their eyes lit up with greed.
(End of Chapter)
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