Chapter 72 Alchemy Furnace_1
Translator: 549690339
Old Mr. Feng shook his head, “It must be quite old. The last time the formation was repaired, it seems to have been either ten or twenty years ago. Using it for so long without any issues, that’s pretty good.”
“Then this pill furnace...”
Old Mr. Feng twisted the crane carving on the exterior wall of the pill furnace, and the inner and outer layers of the pill furnace began to rotate independently of each other, eventually coming apart, revealing the formation inside the inner wall of the pill furnace.
“I certainly won’t go back on my word, but I have to test you first.”
Old Mr. Feng pointed to the formation inside the inner wall of the pill furnace and said, “First, recognize what these formations are.”
After Mo Hua approached and looked it over carefully, he thought for a moment and said, “Melting Fire Formation, Wood Qi Formation, Spirit Gathering Array... Is this a Compound Formation containing three separate formations?”
Old Mr. Feng was a little astonished, “You even learned about Compound Formations?”
A single formation composed of formation patterns is called a Single Formation, and when multiple Single Formations are connected, they form a Compound Formation.
A Compound Formation has stronger effects than a Single Formation and can achieve more complex spiritual power effects, but Formation Masters without a foundation or inheritance can’t learn it, let alone ordinary Loose Cultivators.
Old Mr. Feng knew that Mo Hua was studying formations and also knew that Mo Hua’s divine sense was exceptional, with some talent in the field of formations, but he didn’t expect that Mo Hua could already identify a Compound Formation at a glance.
Mo Hua said modestly, “I can’t draw Compound Formations yet and have only seen them in books. Even ordinary Single Formations, I haven’t mastered.”
Old Mr. Feng nodded, “For your age, it’s good enough to know them. This is a Compound Formation called the Wood Fire Spirit Control Formation, with spiritual power effects of both the fire and wood series. The Wood Qi nurtures herbs, while the Fire-series refines their essence. Both can be harmonized through the formation to refine the desired pills.”
“This seems much more complicated than an artifact furnace...” Mo Hua marveled.
“Still want to give it a try?”
“Yes,” Mo Hua said, “I can’t draw Compound Formations, but if it’s just repairing the formation, following the original as a guide, there shouldn’t be a problem.”
Liu Ruhua took Mo Hua’s hand and said softly, “If you’re not confident, let it be. Don’t cause trouble for Old Mr. Feng.”
Old Mr. Feng smiled, “It’s fine, let him try casually. Even if it’s wrong, it doesn’t matter, consider it practice. Whether it’s alchemy or drawing formations, if you are afraid of making mistakes, you won’t gain any profound understanding.”
“Thank you, Grandpa Feng!”
Mo Hua then stopped being polite, asked Old Mr. Feng for the wood and fire series spiritual ink, and began to set about repairing the formation.
The Wood Fire Spirit Control Formation lost effectiveness because some of the formation patterns had worn away over years of constant alchemy, interrupting the flow of spiritual power.
What Mo Hua needed to do was simple: to repair the dim and ineffective patterns so that the spiritual power of the entire formation could circulate smoothly. That would count as successful.
Mo Hua was deeply touched, and nodded solemnly, “I’ll remember, Grandpa Feng.”
A hint of contentment appeared in Old Mr. Feng’s eyes.
Then, Mo Hua brought up another question:
“What if some people aren’t worth helping?”
“Not benefiting those who are not worthy of it is also a form of benefiting,” Old Mr. Feng said with profound meaning.
After returning home, Mo Hua continued to immerse herself in studying formations.
Meanwhile, Liu Ruhua tidied up the eatery before sitting down in front of the hall to sew clothes.
Right at 1 p.m., Mo Shan, who had gone up the mountain to hunt monster beasts, returned home covered in dust. He had a few monster beast hides draped over his shoulder and several storage bags tied around his waist, his clothes bore some cuts and were stained with blood. Seeing his wife, his tired expression softened:
“Why haven’t you slept yet?”
Liu Ruhua helped Mo Shan remove the hides and storage bags and brought out clean clothes for him to change into, “I can’t relax until you’re home. Are you hurt this time?”
“Just some minor wounds; I’ve applied medicine, it’s nothing serious. How about Huar?”
“She’s in her room reading; she’s probably asleep by now.”
“Mhm.”
Liu Ruhua served the meal, and Mo Shan began to devour it hungrily.
The faint candlelight flickered quietly, and the house was enveloped in silence.
Seeing Liu Ruhua smiling to herself, Mo Shan asked with a smile, “What’s making you so happy?”
“Mm,” Liu Ruhua replied, “today Old Mr. Feng praised Huar’s drawing formations...”
Liu Ruhua recounted the events of the day, and then added: “I often hear others praising Huar for being talented. It’s easy for a smart child to receive compliments; not all of them can be taken seriously. But Old Mr. Feng has seen a lot and knows a lot. If he says Mo Hua has a gift, it means Huar might truly be able to become a Formation Master...”
Liu Ruhua sighed, “I’m frail and added to Huar’s congenital weakness. There’s a saying: ‘live off the mountain if the mountain is close.’ Around Tongxian City, there are many monster beasts, and most cultivators can only make a living by becoming Monster Hunters. But Huar is frail and can’t become a Monster Hunter, unable to eat from that bowl of rice. We can’t look after him forever, and I’ve been worried that if something happens to us and we can’t be by his side, what would Huar do if he couldn’t fend for himself. Now that he has a chance to become a Formation Master, he doesn’t have to fight and kill monster beasts, which puts my mind at ease.”
Mo Shan gently held his wife’s hand, “Don’t worry, Mo Hua is a smart and sensible child. He’s bound to achieve something. We will watch him grow up, stand out among the rest, marry and have children. So, you must take care of yourself, we still have many days ahead of us...”
“Mhm.” Liu Ruhua nestled lightly into Mo Shan’s embrace.
In the house, Mo Hua’s eyes opened; having practiced formations night and day, his Divine Sense had grown much stronger, so he heard everything his parents said.
There was a touch of moisture at the corners of Mo Hua’s eyes. He gently wiped them, then let his Divine Sense sink into his Sea of Consciousness and continued practicing formations on the Taoist Stele.