Ma Fan still seemed to be a little upset by the question. However, he decided against pursuing any issues with it, instead turning to look at the furnace and think about the results we had obtained. After what was honestly in my opinion far too long, even for him, Ma Fan's eyes widened as if finally understanding something.
"The… results really are the same when putting in the first rank as they are for the other ranks that are commonly used when people use this. Why would that be the case? How? Obviously if the Furnace can handle a 70% success rate in summoning a 7th rank item out of 6th ranks… No, even if it was a 1% rate, it should be able to support a magnification of the amount of elements used when at lower ranks." Ma Fan exclaimed, hoping that was the answer.
"Uhm, not quite that good. No, it shouldn't change the amount of returns based on itself. That's the constant. But, it does prove that the mechanism is damaged on a fundamental level. And I am fairly certain I have figured out what it is. But I'd like to do a few tests with the second and third rank materials. I'm sure that by now I have plenty of 2nd rank materials so let's begin." I answered, shaking my head. Perhaps it is too difficult a concept to think about. And perhaps it's best he doesn't ever figure it out on his own. Otherwise there could be complications about our future war plans…
A day later, a few Supreme Elders from the various Cave Heavens and Paradises arrived, replacing the 2 elders that had previously been here. They arrived and came straight into the hall. Upon doing so, any ripples that had been coming out were completely gone, allowing the old 7th rank a much needed break. He may have been strong to some degree, but he was old and thus lacked stamina to continuously receive so much damage.
"Young Master Yang, what exactly did you need these Furnaces for exactly? My Paradise's Elder were completely exhausted by the time he arrived. Spouting nonsense about it being more important than the Royal Lords. Tell me you didn't find one of those freakish…" The Supreme Elder from Yin Yang Paradise called out, changing focus when someone pulled on his sleeve. "Stop that." He said.
"Then be quiet and look, you old fart. I believe we are seeing it now…" Another Supreme Elder spoke, mouth a gap.
"Holy… What is that chart? Brother Ma, what is going on here? What's the Young Master doing?" The Supreme Elder from Yin Yang Paradise gulped.
"The Young Master is repairing the Furnace's inner mechanism! The Furnace already has a 90% success rate!" Ma Fan answered with the enthusiasm of a giddy kid.
"I… I see, Yang Boy can even do that. Figures… I wonder if it was damage caused by ink force? That would explain it right?" Six Wood proposed.
"You may be right about that. It was in the center of that tragedy. And I certainly would have done something about it had I been the enemy. An infinite, unending pot of increasingly stronger resources, is not something I'd like to leave in the hands of an enemy." Azure Feather Divine Monarch, added, finally coming out of his daze.
"Ohh! The glow seems to be getting brighter… Uh, is that a good glow? Young Master Yang!" Six wood divine monarch asked, pointing with a hint of worry.
For the first time in a long time, I was struggling. It wasn't really due to the difficulty of the task, but rather keeping a part of the damage hidden from the others. Observant observers are not ideal in this particular situation. But in the end I couldn't keep the light from everyone.
In a single brilliant flash the final piece to fixing the damage done to the Furnace had been completed. Along with it, came a veritable explosion of resources spilling out, basically burying everyone. It was the collection of all those possible uses that had resulted in no gain, combined with the extra resources that should have been generated.
"Well, I wasn't exactly expecting that…" I said, with a heavy breath. "Alright resources, come here." I added pulling the veritable mountain of resources into my internal world. After which I finally landed, giving one big stretch up cracking my fingers and popping every joint in my body. "Whoa, been a while since something could make me feel like that. I might have to abstain for a few days, or might not retreat in time to keep a promise I made." I chuckled, scratching the back of my head.
"Uh, Young Master Yang, about what just happened. Can you explain it?" Six Wood asked, being the only one brave enough to speak up.
"Ah, so I repaired the chaos inside this here Furnace. It should work with an at least nearly 100% rate. I did add a function to it that I don't think was originally present. Which may or may not have caused the plume of resources just now. But basically, if the resources were supposed to be consumed before, the Furnace will just toss them out now." I answered with a big yawn. "Apologies, that was anything but easy. I don't think anyone other than myself could have pulled that off. Well, maybe the twins could once they control their strength a bit better. But even if it was my father… He would likely still ask me to take care of it." I chuckled and stretched again, with more popping. "Ah now that's much better, seriously that damage was not normal. I suspect the attack on Great Evolution had been more calculated than I'd like to admit. Only Ink himself could have managed damage that strong. Which explains a lot actually. Because as much as one may not like it. A 9th rank with a purpose and no fear of death is never a good opponent, but even one of them is still defeat able if enough 8th ranks band together. There will be losses but the 9th rank will go down." I rambled, stretching my hips, side to side.
"What do you mean by more calculating?" Azure feather Divine Monarch asked, trembling at the implications.
"Oh? Just that the dead 9th rank's entire inky being had been used as a catalyst to limit the strength of this artifact while also siphoning resources away to recover and strengthen itself." I answered nonchalantly as I continued stretching.