Chapter 204: Identity
Chapter 204: Identity
Elder Yu was halfway through his triumphant laugh when he suddenly realized what Mo Hua was complimenting him about. He glared at Mo Hua and said, "How is that risky? It's called having multiple backup plans! You should learn from this and be more mindful and calculative in everything you do."
Mo Hua nodded hastily, "I will definitely learn from this!"
It was always a good idea to be mindful and calculative. Otherwise, one would surely be at a disadvantage in the future.
"But things won't go as smoothly as we'd like, will they...?" Mo Hua frowned again.
"Of course not." Elder Yu said, "Planning is one thing, but the actual situation can be unpredictable. You also need to be adaptable. These are the lessons I've learned over the years from our constant struggles with the Qian family."
Mo Hua couldn't help but ask, "With such meticulous calculations, do you still end up at a disadvantage?"
Elder Yu sighed, "What's the use of just planning if you don't have the resources? Even a skilled cook can't make a meal without rice."
They didn't have many spirit stones, and he was the only Foundation Establishment cultivator. Being able to hold their own against the Qian family was already an achievement.
But things were different now.
Elder Yu glanced at Mo Hua.
Now that he had Mo Hua, who could create arrays, he had more cards up his sleeve. Naturally, he wouldn't let the Qian family take advantage of them anymore! As this thought crossed Elder Yu's mind, he couldn't help but pat Mo Hua on the shoulder and sigh, "It's all thanks to you."
Mo Hua didn't understand why Elder Yu was suddenly praising him, but he still smiled happily.
As Elder Yu had predicted, the plan proceeded but with some deviations.
Some of the artifact refiners left the Qian family and joined them, while others were persuaded to stay by the Qians, who offered higher prices.
Most of the demon hunters didn't sell their materials to the Qians, but some trading houses still secretly did business with them.
Although things didn't go exactly as planned, it still caused quite a headache for the Qians.
Qian Hong was busy dealing with these trivial matters every day, and it was only when he finally had a moment to breathe that he realized something was amiss.
They were driving down prices, and so was Yu Changlin.
They had been lowering prices for a while now, and most of the previously refined spiritual artifacts had been sold. Yet, Yu Changlin was still driving down prices along with them.
Moreover, it seemed that Yu Changlin still had quite a few spiritual artifacts in his possession...
Why was that?
How could the demon hunters' refining business have produced so many spiritual artifacts when they had only started operating recently?
Qian Hong racked his brains but couldn't figure it out.
He sent some Qian family cultivators to investigate discreetly, but Elder Yu kept the secret of the refining furnace tightly guarded, so they couldn't find out anything.
It was only when Qian Hong saw the spiritual artifacts refined by the other party that a ridiculous idea popped into his mind.
Could it be that the demon hunters' refining furnaces were not inferior to theirs?
Or perhaps... they were even better?
Qian Hong went to ask Qian Da Shi. After examining the spiritual artifacts, Qian Da Shi's expression turned solemn. After a long while, he sighed and said, "Only a first-grade refining furnace with a Melting Fire Array can refine spiritual artifacts of this quality."
Qian Hong's eyelids twitched, "So, the array master among the demon hunters..."
Qian Da Shi heaved a sigh, "He's a genuine first-grade array master!"
Qian Hong felt a chill in his heart. Soon after, he murmured, "What price did Yu Changlin pay to invite a first-grade array master?"
Qian Da Shi also shook his head, perplexed.
He couldn't understand it either. A first-grade array master was an esteemed figure. Even if they went to their Qian family, they would be greeted with the utmost respect. Why would such a person help the demon hunters? What benefit could he possibly gain from it?
Qian Da Shi frowned and said, "We must find out the identity of this array master and clarify his background. Otherwise, we will continue to suffer hidden losses."
Qian Hong frowned, "He has repeatedly gone against our Qian family, should we still be courteous to him?"
"This array master is extraordinary. If he's willing to help our Qian family, we will soar to new heights. In the future, we will quickly rise in rank and entering the ranks of a second-rate family will be within reach."
"I'm afraid he may not be willing."
"Then we shouldn't offend him for now. It would be best if we can win him over. If not, we should at least try to keep him neutral and uninvolved. Only in the worst-case scenario should we consider becoming mortal enemies." Qian Da Shi advised.
Qian Hong was puzzled, "Is this array master really that important?"
Qian Da Shi explained, "This array master is known to be proficient in using a first-rate Earth Fire Array, a first-rate Stone Array, and a first-rate Melting Fire Array."
"So what if he knows these three first-rate arrays?"
Qian Da Shi sighed, "It's indeed rare to know three first-rate arrays, but that's not the issue. The problem is, what if he knows far more than just these three? What if he knows some arrays that even I've never heard of?"
Qian Hong's expression turned solemn.
"It's best not to offend him easily before he reveals his stance." Qian Da Shi emphasized, "The way of arrays is profound and complex. Some array masters possess arrays that are far more powerful than you can imagine..."
Qian Hong's pupils trembled slightly, and he couldn't help but reveal a hint of wariness.
At this moment, the array master whom Qian Hong warily regarded was sitting on the wall, casually munching on a chicken leg while swinging his legs and chatting with Ban Shi Fu.
The Refining Shop had been constructed and was now operational, while the construction of the Pill Shop continued.
For the first phase of the project, Elder Yu had already given Ban Shi Fu the promised spirit stones.
With the spirit stones in hand, Ban Shi Fu felt relieved and worked even harder with renewed vigor.
The overall layout of the Pill Shop was consistent with that of the Refining Shop. First, the foundational structures were built, then Mo Hua would draw the arrays, after which the craftsmen would complete the final renovations.
Before the foundational structures were completed, Mo Hua came to confirm the layout and inspect the array diagram.
However, since they had already surveyed the area when building the Refining Shop, and the layouts of the two shops were identical, Mo Hua didn't need to spend too much time inspecting the array diagram for the Pill Shop.
After a few quick inspections, Mo Hua had a clear understanding of what needed to be done.
With nothing urgent to do for the time being, he climbed up the wall, chatted with Ban Shi Fu, and enjoyed his chicken leg.
Ban Shi Fu was truly grateful to Mo Hua.
Thanks to Mo Hua's swift array drawing skills, the Refining Shop was able to be completed roughly on schedule. Only when their project was completed could they receive their payment in spirit stones.
Moreover, Mo Hua's profound array foundation at such a young age was something Ban Shi Fu had never seen before in his life.
He was happy to chat with the young Mo Hua, and he answered whatever questions the boy asked.
They talked about a wide range of topics, from craftsman architecture to cultivator lifestyles, from family members to cultivator customs, from delicious foods and fun activities to strange customs and despicable villains.
Mo Hua's curiosity was satisfied, and his horizons broadened.
Every cultivator's life was like a painting, and even the most ordinary ones had colors that others might never see.
These stories were likely things Mo Hua would never have known if he hadn't taken the time to chat with them.
He wondered if, one day, he would be able to travel across the nine provinces, meet more people, hear more stories, and discover the extraordinary colors hidden within the ordinary paintings of life.
Mo Hua's heart swelled with anticipation at the thought.
(End of Chapter)
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