Chapter 195: The First-Rank Melting Fire Array
Chapter 195: The First-Rank Melting Fire Array
When Elder Feng and Master Chen both agreed, Mo Hua informed Elder Yu about the matter.
Elder Yu was somewhat surprised. "Even Master Feng agreed?"
Although Master Feng had only cultivated to the ninth layer of Qi Refining, he was a First-Rank Pill Master. With his own pill hall in Tongxian City, he had amassed a vast network of connections over the years by curing countless people. He held a high level of respect among cultivators.
Previously, Elder Yu had specially paid him a visit, subtly bringing up this matter, only to be politely refused by Master Feng on the grounds of his old age and lack of energy.
He hadn't expected Master Feng to agree now.
With Master Feng's profound understanding of pill concoction and extensive connections, there was no need to worry about finding pill refiners for the pill refinery.
A trace of curiosity tinged Elder Yu's voice. "How did you convince them?"
Mo Hua furrowed his brows. "I didn't really say anything. But since this is a beneficial endeavor for everyone, Grandfather Feng and Master Chen would usually not refuse."
They refused me but not you...
Elder Yu sized up Mo Hua once more, sighing inwardly.
This young man, Mo Hua, seemed to carry more weight than him, a Foundation Establishment elder...
Mo Hua shifted the topic back to the main issue. "Elder Yu, what about the furnace you purchased?"
"It's on its way and should arrive in a few days."
There were furnaces for sale in Tongxian City, but not First-Rank ones. Even if a few shops wanted to sell them, Elder Yu had inquired and they didn't dare to make the deal due to the influence of the Qian Family.
Elder Yu had no choice but to rely on his connections and purchase a new First-Rank furnace from the neighboring Xian City.
"Won't it be snatched away by others?" Mo Hua asked worriedly.
"We pay when the goods arrive. If it gets snatched, it has nothing to do with us. I must see the furnace delivered to the door of the refinery before I hand over the Spirit Stones."
Mo Hua nodded.
As expected of Elder Yu, his arrangements were tight and careful.
This was a good habit, and Mo Hua felt that he should learn from it.
"Then, the array on the furnace..." Elder Yu asked again.
Mo Hua patted his chest. "Rest assured, leave it to me. I haven't learned it yet, but I should be able to soon."
Learning it on the spot...
Elder Yu's feelings were mixed. If it were any other array master, he might not feel confident about them learning an array right before using it. But when it came to Mo Hua, Elder Yu had nothing to say.
"Then, when the furnace arrives, I'll let you know."
"Okay." Mo Hua nodded.
From then on, Mo Hua spent his time learning the First-Rank Melting Fire Array.
At the same time, Master Qian arrived at the study and met with the family head, Qian Hong.
Master Qian's face was slightly pale, and he looked a bit weary, but his spirit was high, and his eyes shone with excitement.
"Family Head, after these days of diligent research, I have completely mastered the First-Rank Melting Fire Array!"
Qian Hong's eyebrows shot up, and he was overjoyed. "Thank you for your hard work, Master Qian. I will instruct the clan to free up our First-Rank furnace immediately. We will erase the original array and ask you to personally inscribe the First-Rank Melting Fire Array on it."
Qian Hong cupped his hands and said, "I trouble you with this matter."
"Of course," Master Qian replied.
Qian Hong also heaved a sigh of relief. "In that case, we can take the initiative."
The smooth establishment of the hunters' refinery, along with all the other preparations, and even Elder Yu's purchase of a First-Rank furnace from outside, had put a lot of pressure on Qian Hong.
Furnaces played a crucial role in refining spiritual artifacts.
As long as their furnace was better than the hunters' and their array was stronger, the resulting spiritual artifacts would be of higher quality and produced in greater quantities.
It would be a pipe dream for Elder Yu to try to compete with their Qian Family.
Once Elder Yu's refinery started losing money, its decline was inevitable. At that time, he would step in and take over the refinery.
In the end, all of Elder Yu's hard work would only amount to making a wedding dress for their Qian Family.
Qian Hong still felt uneasy and sought further reassurance, "Among the array masters in the Hunters' Guild, is it really impossible for them to know the First-Rank Melting Fire Array?"
Master Qian waved his hand dismissively, "Rest assured, Family Head, it's absolutely impossible!"
A puzzled look crossed Qian Hong's face, "Why are you so certain, Master Qian?"
Master Qian smiled calmly, "If I hadn't learned the Melting Fire Array myself, I might not be so sure. But now that I've mastered this array, it all makes sense. This array is exceedingly difficult and not something an ordinary array master can learn!"
Qian Hong frowned, "Is it really that challenging?"
"Family Head, you're not an array master, so you don't understand the intricacies involved," Master Qian explained. "The array patterns of the First-Rank Melting Fire Array are quite obscure. Compared to the basic fire-type array patterns, the brush strokes are slightly deviated, and the array core structure is conventional. However, it demands a greater amount of spiritual sense."
Qian Hong's eyes narrowed slightly, "Aren't they both first-rank arrays? Why do some arrays require more spiritual sense than others?"
"There's something you should understand, Family Head," Master Qian said solemnly. "Arrays are manifestations of the Dao, but the ranking system is a human construct. How could the naturally occurring array patterns strictly adhere to man-made rules?"
"Hence, within the same rank, arrays can vary in difficulty. Some arrays require more spiritual sense, while others need less. Nonetheless, they generally fall within the same framework, with only slight deviations."
Qian Hong couldn't help but feel a sense of awe, "Arrays truly are profound and complex."
Master Qian continued, "The First-Rank Melting Fire Array demands slightly more spiritual sense compared to other first-rank arrays. Don't underestimate this small difference. When one's spiritual sense is nearing its limit, increasing it even by a tiny amount is incredibly difficult. That extra bit of spiritual sense required for the Melting Fire Array sets a high bar for array masters; not all of them can surpass it..."
"Moreover, the array patterns of this technique are quite obscure, and one must practice it repeatedly to become familiar with them. However, due to the excessive spiritual sense it demands, it's not advisable to practice it too frequently. Thus, learning this array can be described as doubly challenging. If someone truly masters it, they must already possess the capabilities of a first-rank array master."
Qian Hong listened, only partially understanding, but he grasped the key points and congratulated Master Qian, "Master Qian, now that you've comprehended this array, your proficiency in arrays must have improved even further. During the next assessment, the title of First-Rank Array Master will surely be within your grasp."
"You flatter me, Family Head," Master Qian replied humbly. "I can only say that my chances have increased, but until everything is settled, nothing is certain."
Although Master Qian's words were modest, his expression betrayed his satisfaction.
There were only a handful of truly exceptional array masters in Tongxian City, and he was about to join their ranks!
Qian Hong immediately gave orders to prepare a First-Rank furnace and invited Master Qian to inscribe the array on it.
Two days later, Mo Hua also mastered the First-Rank Melting Fire Array.
Even though he had learned it, Mo Hua still furrowed his brows.
Usually, he could learn a first-rank array in just a day or two. But with the First-Rank Melting Fire Array, it had taken him four to five days of cumulative practice to completely master and draw the array without errors.
It wasn't because this array required more spiritual sense.
In Mo Hua's opinion, the First-Rank Melting Fire Array did demand a little more spiritual sense, but it was negligible for him and definitely less than what was needed for a first-rank recovery array.
The reason Mo Hua took longer to learn was that the array patterns were somewhat obscure. He was accustomed to drawing basic array patterns, and any deviation from those familiar patterns made it easier to make mistakes.
Mo Hua had to practice repeatedly over several days to memorize the patterns and successfully draw the First-Rank Melting Fire Array in its entirety.
"This First-Rank Melting Fire Array is indeed a little more challenging," Mo Hua acknowledged with a nod.
(End of Chapter)
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