Since the alchemy workshop had been built and the array formations perfected, they could no longer cause trouble.
Once the outer walls were surrounded and the formations activated, any attempt to infiltrate would be nothing but wishful thinking.
Master Qian glanced again at the alchemy workshop and suddenly asked, "Master Qian, do you know which formations were used in this alchemy workshop?"
"Typically, architectural arrays involve formations from the earth and wood categories. As for the specific formations used, I'm not an array master, so I'm not sure," Qian Hong pondered slightly.
"These formations, Master Qian, you have encountered them before," Master Qian said calmly.
Qian Hong pondered for a moment, then his eyes lit up suddenly. "Are you referring to the formations used at the spiritual mine entrance that day?"
"Exactly!" Master Qian nodded. "Among the First Rank formations is one known as the Earth Rock Formation, which can reinforce earth and rocks, warding off external enemies. If my estimation is correct, the outer walls of this alchemy workshop are protected by this First Rank Earth Rock Formation."
Qian Hong frowned, suddenly realizing something.
Master Qian continued, "There is a Earth Fire Formation and an Earth Rock Formation. These two formations were used previously, and it seems they are still being reused. As I expected, the array masters among the hunters are not numerous, so these two formations are used repeatedly..."
"That's understandable," Master Qian sighed, "Mastering First Rank formations is not easy. Being able to grasp these two formations is already commendable."
Qian Hong nodded slightly. Indeed, array formations were difficult to learn, let alone First Rank ones, making them even more challenging to manage.
During the battle with the hunters on Nameless Peak earlier, these two formations had caused significant trouble for the Qian family. Without them, the Qian family would not have suffered such heavy losses.
"That old man Yu Changlin and those hunters could not have left with full bags of spiritual stones."
Every time he thought about this, Qian Hong felt a stabbing pain in his heart.
"The alchemy workshop is completed now, so there's no need to worry anymore. Master Qian, you can proceed according to plan," Qian Hong nodded.
"Yu Changlin built the alchemy workshop simply to refine spiritual tools and snatch our business. All we need to do is to stay one step ahead, refine more and better spiritual tools, lower the prices, and make it difficult for their alchemy workshop to sustain itself. Then, naturally, there will be no further issues..."
"The key to mass-producing spiritual tools lies in the refining furnace," Qian Hong finished, then asked, "How is your understanding progressing with the First Rank Melting Fire Formation used for the refining furnace?"
Master Qian stroked his beard. "These days, I have been diligently studying day and night. I have already grasped most of it. Soon, I will fully comprehend it."
Qian Hong's face lit up with joy, and he clasped his hands together. "Thank you for your hard work, Master!"
Master Qian returned the gesture. "As a descendant of the Qian family, supported by the clan, I will do my utmost to serve the family. Please, don't mention it, Master."
Suddenly, Qian Hong hesitated, seeming to have something on his mind.
"If there's something on your mind, please speak," Master Qian said.
Qian Hong furrowed his brow, pondering. "Could it be that the array master among the hunters has also mastered the First Rank Melting Fire Formation? Otherwise, why would Yu Changlin build the alchemy workshop?"
Master Qian was slightly surprised. After a moment's thought, he thought it made sense, but then he shook his head and denied it.
"It's impossible. The First Rank Melting Fire Formation is different from other First Rank formations. Its array patterns are more intricate, and its core mechanisms are more complex. It's not something that can be learned easily. If he truly mastered the First Rank Melting Fire Formation, along with the Earth Fire Formation and Earth Rock Formation, he would have the capabilities of a First Rank array master long ago."
"A First Rank array master is highly esteemed, regarded as an honored guest by clans and sects. How could he risk his status and associate with these rogue cultivators?"
Qian Hong listened and found it reasonable, but still hesitated, "But what if this person really knows how to draw the Melting Fire Formation?"
"Rest assured, Master. Even if this array master can draw the Melting Fire Formation, it would only be a basic version, containing five or six array patterns at most. It certainly wouldn't be a genuine First Rank Melting Fire Formation."
"I have painstakingly studied the Melting Fire Formation during these days. I deeply understand how difficult it is. This formation is far beyond the reach of an ordinary First Rank formation. That array master couldn't possibly have mastered it!"
Master Qian asserted confidently.
Mo Hua really couldn't draw the Melting Fire Array.
Before this, he hadn't needed it, so he didn't bother learning it. Now, wanting to try creating a first-grade Compound Array that includes the Melting Fire Array, he needed to spend time learning it.
After learning it, he discovered that the Melting Fire Array was indeed difficult to master.
The array patterns were indeed more intricate, slightly different from typical fire-element array patterns, and the mental strength required for the array hub was also higher. Mo Hua practiced for a day and a half, gradually gaining some understanding, but then he saw Elder Yu with a worried expression.
"Elder Yu, is the Qian family causing trouble again?" Mo Hua asked.
Elder Yu shook his head. "We're short of forgers."
"How many are we lacking?"
"About ten."
"That many?" Mo Hua was surprised. "There should be quite a few forgers in the city. Why aren't they willing to come?"
"Yes," Elder Yu said with some helplessness. "Either they already have their own workshops and don't want to move, or they don't want to work for others and be restricted, or they're reclusive and prefer not to interact with others... In short, their reasons vary, but the result is the same—they don't want to come."
"Are they also worried about the Qian family?"
Elder Yu nodded. "That's also a concern. They're afraid of the Qian family causing trouble and afraid that we won't be able to compete with them. They fear they'll end up suffering too."
"I see." Mo Hua nodded, then asked, "Would Master Chen be willing to come?"
"Which Master Chen?"
"The one next to Xiaochi on South Street, Master Chen from Chen's Forge, thin and with a dark face."
"Oh." Elder Yu recalled. "He's not willing to come either."
Mo Hua set aside the unfinished Melting Fire Array in his hands. "I'll go see him."
"You'll go see him? Will he listen to you?" Elder Yu was somewhat surprised.
"Maybe not, but I'll give it a try. I have a decent relationship with Master Chen." Mo Hua said.
Elder Yu looked at Mo Hua, who was around ten years old and barely taller than a person, and thought of Master Chen's dark face. He couldn't imagine what kind of relationship they could have.
"Well, give it a try first. I'll look for some other forgers." Elder Yu said.
"Okay."
After Mo Hua finished speaking, he went home first, got some food and wine from his mother, packed them into a food container, and put it in his storage bag. Then he went to Chen's Forge and found Master Chen.
Master Chen was busy forging iron with his apprentices. The clanging sounds echoed continuously, and sparks flew everywhere.
Mo Hua shouted a couple of times before Master Chen heard him. He let the apprentices continue practicing on their own, then washed his hands, wiped his sweat, and welcomed Mo Hua into the courtyard.
There were several small stools and tables in the courtyard.
Mo Hua picked a small stool to sit on, then took out the wine and meat from his storage bag.
"I brought this for everyone to enjoy!" Mo Hua said.
"How could we accept this..." Master Chen hesitated, but his eyes didn't leave the wine jug.
"Don't be polite!" Mo Hua insisted.
Master Chen stopped being coy. After all, he was quite familiar with Mo Hua and didn't consider him an outsider. He smiled, "Well then, I won't be polite."
After Master Chen said this, he shouted to his apprentices, "Stop for a while, come over and have something to eat."
The group of Forger apprentices were delighted to hear this and stopped their work, gathering around.
Since Mo Hua entered and placed the food container on the table, their minds had already drifted away from forging.
Forging was physically demanding, and they were young and growing, so they easily got hungry.
Business at the forge wasn't great, and they were happy just to have enough to eat on regular days, let alone enjoy good food. So, when they saw the meat Mo Hua placed on the table, their eyes lit up.
(End of the Chapter)