The alchemy furnace that was refined was quite large in size, slightly smaller than the large refining furnace in the courtyard, with a more antique appearance and more elegant cloud patterns, appearing more complex in design.
The formations inside the alchemy furnace were similar to those in the refining furnace, yet different in some aspects.
Similarities included both needing the Melting Fire Array as a basis for heating. Differences lay in refining, which relied more on controlling the heat and harmonizing the spiritual attributes.
Mo Hua planned to draw a Compound Formation on the alchemy furnace, known as the Grade One Fire-Wood Twin Birth Compound Formation.
This set of formations also included two Grade One formations: one for Melting Fire and another for wood spirituals. Additionally, there were other functional formations like the Spiritual Gathering Array and the Cold Qi Array.
The core of this Compound Formation not only controlled spiritual intensity but also harmonized attributes.
The entire Compound Formation, whether in terms of mental strength requirements, the difficulty of formation depiction, or the complexity of adaptation with the alchemy furnace, was higher than the previous Grade One Melting Fire Control Spiritual Compound Formation.
However, it was still within Mo Hua's grasp.
Especially after the previous forging of the refining furnace, Mo Hua had become familiar with and applied the Grade One Melting Fire Control Spiritual Compound Formation. Now, learning this similar advanced Compound Formation was a breeze.
The only difficulties lay in mental strength and proficiency with Compound Formations.
Both could be resolved with time.
Mo Hua had already planned ahead, so after completing the Melting Fire Compound Formation on the refining furnace, he began practicing the Compound Formation on the alchemy furnace.
Several days later, Mo Hua finally mastered the method of drawing the Grade One Fire-Wood Twin Birth Compound Formation and began drawing the formations.
In the courtyard of the Nancheng Alchemy Hall, the large alchemy furnaces were dismantled and laid out neatly on the ground.
Mo Hua crouched beside the inner furnace, frowning as he drew the formations.
Initially, it wasn't going smoothly. He made mistakes several times, but Mo Hua persevered, patiently correcting his work.
Mr. Feng arrived. Seeing Mo Hua focused on drawing formations, he didn't disturb him and silently watched from the side.
Mo Hua was deeply concentrated, his eyes shining brightly as he meticulously drew the formations.
His formations were complex and elegant, showing great orderliness.
Mr. Feng watched, gradually becoming entranced.
He sighed inwardly, finding it incredible no matter how many times he looked.
That child who was born frail, with clear eyes and an innocent smile from a young age. He watched him grow up, and now, at barely ten years old, he could already draw Grade One formations.
Grade One formations...
Many old formation masters with white hair would rack their brains and exhaust themselves to draw a Grade One formation. After finishing, their faces would be pale and their backs soaked in sweat.
But Mo Hua, when drawing these Grade One formations, seemed to handle them with ease. Even if he was tired, after a brief rest, he would be full of energy again.
If Mr. Feng hadn't watched Mo Hua grow up, he almost would have suspected that Mo Hua had been possessed by some old monster...
Mo Hua, tired from drawing, breathed a sigh of relief and sat down on the ground, rubbing his sore arms.
Mr. Feng approached, massaging several acupoints for him and gently circulating his spiritual energy to clear Mo Hua's qi and blood.
Mo Hua felt as if bathed in a spring breeze, significantly more comfortable.
"Thank you, Grandpa Feng!" Mo Hua smiled gratefully.
"I should be thanking you," Mr. Feng brushed off the dust from the ground, sat down next to Mo Hua, and kindly said, "If it weren't for you, I probably wouldn't have used such a furnace in my lifetime."
"I'll get you an even better one next time," Mo Hua pledged earnestly.
Mr. Feng chuckled, "This one is good enough."
With that, Mr. Feng took out a jade pendant and handed it to Mo Hua. "This is for you."
The jade pendant was pale in color, with faint blue-green spiritual patterns inside. It was of an unknown type of jade, without much spiritual power. Its style appeared simple, its carving ordinary, yet upon touching it, one felt a soothing aura and a calming of the mind.
"What kind of jade is this?"
"This is Dan Yu," Mr. Feng explained.
"Dan Yu?"
Mr. Feng turned the jade pendant over, and Mo Hua saw that it indeed had a carved "Dan" character.
"Alchemy masters generally carry a Dan Yu with them, nurturing it with wood-based spiritual power year-round. Over time, the jade becomes like a spiritual tool, capable of calming one's breath and settling the mind, free from distracting thoughts."
"This Dan Yu was given to me by my master many years ago. I've carried it with me all these years while treating patients and practicing alchemy. Now that I have no use for it, I'm giving it to you."
Mr. Feng explained.
Mo Hua shook his head. "This is such a precious item; I can't accept it."
However, Mr. Feng personally hung the Dan Yu around Mo Hua's neck. "When elders give, you mustn't refuse."
"But..." Mo Hua felt somewhat unworthy. "I'm not an alchemist. Why are you giving this to me?"
Mr. Feng pondered for a moment and said, "Alchemy masters save lives, but they can't save too many people. Formation masters don't save lives directly, but they can save many."
Mo Hua was momentarily stunned, then nodded as if understanding.
Mr. Feng looked at Mo Hua expectantly and said, "There's another saying: alchemists accumulate merit by curing and saving lives. This Dan Yu, carried with you, will bear the merit of an alchemist. I give it to you hoping it will bring you good fortune and peace as you grow up."
Mo Hua was surprised and worried. "If you give this jade to me, what will happen to you?"
Mr. Feng smiled, "Talk of merit is elusive; it's just for peace of mind. I've practiced alchemy and medicine for many years, not because I believe in these things."
Mo Hua asked, "But what if the talk of merit is true?"
Mr. Feng's smile grew warmer. "If the talk of merit is true, then giving you this Dan Yu, which can indeed bring you good fortune, might be a greater merit than all my years of curing and saving lives."
Mo Hua felt somewhat embarrassed and could only say humbly, "Thank you, Grandpa Feng!"
The cool Dan Yu hung around his neck, making Mo Hua feel calm and warm-hearted.
Whether due to the Dan Yu or not, Mo Hua's mind was serene, more focused on drawing formations, and his brushwork flowed smoothly.
Two days later, Mo Hua completed the Grade One Fire-Wood Twin Birth Compound Formation.
Mo Hua invited Mr. Feng to come and start the furnace. Alongside Mr. Feng, several other alchemists also came.
These alchemists had been invited by Mr. Feng to join the alchemy practice, collaborate on alchemical techniques, and refine elixirs.
Mr. Feng placed spiritual stones, lit the fire, and a bright red flame instantly ignited.
Even though they had anticipated it beforehand, Mr. Feng was still momentarily taken aback by the purity of the fire, which surpassed ordinary Qi-refining period spiritual power.
The other alchemists were even more shocked, their expressions filled with excitement.
Mr. Feng then attempted to use the harmonized fire-wood spiritual power of the alchemy furnace to refine a batch of elixirs.
The elixir produced was a common Blood Qi Pill, capable of stopping bleeding and restoring energy, a must-have for cultivators at home or traveling, and for hunting demons.
Though the elixir was common, its quality after refinement was extraordinary, thanks to the pure furnace fire, enhancing its efficacy by more than ten percent.
Mr. Feng was very satisfied and couldn't help but glance at Mo Hua beside him, nodding with satisfaction.
(End of the Chapter)