Both Elder Feng and Master Chen agreed, so Mo Hua informed Elder Yu about this matter.
Elder Yu was somewhat surprised, "Elder Feng also agreed?"
Although Elder Feng's cultivation was only at the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining, he was a first-grade alchemist and had been running an alchemy hall in Tongxian City for many years, treating illnesses and saving lives, and had extensive connections. He was highly respected among cultivators.
Elder Yu had previously gone to visit Elder Feng, subtly mentioning this matter, but was tactfully refused by Elder Feng due to "old age and fatigue not being suitable for labor."
He didn't expect Elder Feng to agree now.
With Elder Feng's profound skills in alchemy and extensive network, there should be no worries about finding alchemists for the alchemist's workshop.
Elder Yu was curious, "How did you persuade them?"
Mo Hua frowned, "I didn't say much, but this is a good thing that benefits everyone. Elder Feng and Master Chen wouldn't usually refuse."
"They didn't refuse you, but they refused me..."
Elder Yu looked at Mo Hua again, sighing inwardly.
It seemed Mo Hua's influence was even greater than that of an elder like himself...
Mo Hua then asked about the main matter, "Elder Yu, what about the refining furnace you bought?"
"It's on its way. It should arrive in a few days."
Although there were refining furnaces for sale in Tongxian City, there were none of the first grade. Even if a few families wanted to sell, Elder Yu had inquired but was hindered by the influence of the Qian family, so they dared not make a move.
Elder Yu had to use his connections to buy a new first-grade refining furnace from the neighboring immortal city.
"I hope it won't be snatched away," Mo Hua said with concern.
"Payment upon delivery. If it's snatched, it's not our concern. I must see the refining furnace delivered to the doorstep of our Forge's workshop myself, or I won't pay them the spiritual stones."
Mo Hua nodded.
Indeed, Elder Yu was meticulous and would not leave any room for error. Seeing is believing.
It was a good habit, and Mo Hua felt he should learn from it.
"What about the array formations on the refining furnace?" Elder Yu asked again.
Mo Hua patted his chest, "Don't worry, I've got it covered. I haven't learned it yet, but I should pick it up quickly."
Learning it on the spot...
Elder Yu's mood was complicated. If it were any other array master learning the formation on the spot when needed, he might not be reassured. But if Mo Hua was learning it, Elder Yu had nothing to say.
"Then I'll let you know when the refining furnace arrives."
"Okay." Mo Hua nodded.
In the following days, Mo Hua dedicated himself to learning the first-grade Melting Fire Array.
Meanwhile, Master Qian arrived at the study and met with the family head, Qian Hong.
Master Qian's face was slightly pale, showing signs of fatigue, but his spiritual was sharp and he seemed excited.
"Family Head, after these days of diligent study and research, I have completely mastered the first-grade Melting Fire Array!"
Qian Hong raised an eyebrow, his expression full of joy. "Many thanks, Master Qian. I'll instruct right away to clear out a first-grade refining furnace from within the clan, erase the original formations, and have you personally inscribe the first-grade Melting Fire Array."
Qian Hong bowed slightly. "This matter, I trouble you, Master."
"It's only natural."
Qian Hong also breathed a sigh of relief. "With this, we can seize the initiative."
The Forge's Workshop for Demon hunters was successfully established, and everything else was progressing intensively. Elder Yu even managed to purchase a first-grade refining furnace from another city, which added pressure on Qian Hong.
The quality of refining heavily relied on the refining furnace. As long as their refining furnace was superior to those of the demon hunters and their array formations stronger, the quality and quantity of spiritual tools produced would surpass them.
Elder Yu's aspirations to compete with the Qian family were mere wishful thinking. Once Elder Yu's Forge's Workshop fell into financial distress, it would only be a matter of time before Qian Hong intervened and absorbed the workshop.
Elder Yu had been busy for so long, but in reality, he was just paving the way for the Qian family.
Qian Hong calculated and felt that the only variable was the array formation.
In most cultivation industries, core array formations were crucial.
Qian Hong still had some concerns and confirmed, "Are there really no array masters among the demon hunters who can use the first-grade Melting Fire Array?"
Master Qian waved his hand dismissively. "Rest assured, Family Head, it's absolutely impossible!"
Qian Hong looked puzzled. "Master, why are you so sure?"
Master Qian smiled calmly, "Before I mastered the Melting Fire Array, I couldn't be so certain. But now that I understand this formation, it's clear. This array is quite difficult; it's not something an ordinary array master can learn!"
"Is it truly that challenging?" Qian Hong furrowed his brow.
"Family Head, you are not an array master, so you may not understand the difficulties involved."
Master Qian explained, "The first-grade Melting Fire Array itself has rather obscure array patterns. Compared to basic fire-based array patterns, its strokes deviate slightly. The structure of the array hub is conventional, but it demands more spiritual consciousness."
Qian Hong's gaze narrowed slightly. "But aren't they all first-grade arrays? Why does the required spiritual consciousness vary?"
"Family Head, you must understand," Master Qian said seriously, "arrays are manifestations of the Heavenly Dao, but grades are artificially defined. How can the array patterns manifested by the Heavenly Dao strictly adhere to human standards? Therefore, within the same grade of arrays, there will be differences in difficulty. Some arrays require more spiritual consciousness, while others require less. Generally speaking, they all fall within the same framework, but with slight variations."
Qian Hong sighed with emotion. "Arrays truly are profound and vast."
Master Qian added, "Compared to other first-grade arrays, the first-grade Melting Fire Array requires a bit more spiritual consciousness. Don't underestimate this requirement. As one's spiritual consciousness approaches its limit, each additional bit becomes incredibly difficult. This additional requirement of spiritual consciousness for the Melting Fire Array is a significant barrier for array masters, one that not all can overcome..."
"Moreover, the array patterns for this formation are quite obscure, requiring extensive practice to become familiar with. However, due to the high demand for spiritual consciousness, it's not advisable to practice extensively. Therefore, mastering this formation can be said to be exceedingly difficult. If one truly masters it, they would undoubtedly possess the strength of a first-grade array master."
Qian Hong seemed to understand but still grasped the key point, congratulating sincerely, "Master, your understanding of this formation implies an advancement in your array mastery. The title of a first-grade array master should soon be within your grasp."
"Family Head, you overpraise me. I can only say that I've increased my confidence somewhat. Until the dust settles, nothing is certain."
Master Qian was modest in his reply, but his expression revealed a sense of accomplishment.
There were few array masters in Tongxian City who could truly reach the pinnacle, and he was about to become one of them!
Qian Hong immediately gave instructions to prepare a first-grade refining furnace and asked Master Qian to inscribe the array.
Two days later, Mo Hua also mastered the first-grade Melting Fire Array.
Despite mastering it, Mo Hua still frowned.
Normally, he could learn a first-grade array in one or two days. However, it took him four or five days in total to completely inscribe the Melting Fire Array. It wasn't because the formation required too much spiritual consciousness.
To Mo Hua, while the Melting Fire Array did require a bit more spiritual consciousness, it was just a small amount, which wasn't much for him. At least it required less spiritual consciousness than the Compound Array of the first grade.
Mo Hua's slow learning was due to the obscure nature of the array patterns. He was accustomed to drawing based on basic array patterns, and any deviation could easily lead to mistakes.
Mo Hua had drawn and redrawn the array patterns several times over the past few days before finally memorizing them and inscribing the first-grade Melting Fire Array completely.
"This first-grade Melting Fire Array is indeed a bit challenging."
Mo Hua nodded in agreement.
(End of the Chapter)