Chapter 663: Forging on Solitary Mountain

Around the borders of Qianxue Province, the scenery is beautiful, each place unique in its own way.

Mo Hua sat inside the carriage, feeling at ease, gazing at the landscape as he headed toward Gushan City.

After departing at dawn and traveling nearly half a day, the carriage entered the territory of Gushan City.

Mo Hua looked around, startled.

Compared to the scenery along the way, the area near Gushan City was far more dilapidated—bare rocks, withered vegetation, and a gray, hazy sky.

Around him were mostly abandoned mines.

The population was sparse.

The scattered cultivators along the road mostly had haggard faces, as if enduring deep sorrow.

Mo Hua frowned.

Gushan City was a third-grade Xiancheng, yet it looked poorer than ordinary second-grade territories.

This was far beyond his expectations.

The carriage rolled along a wide but dusty road into Gushan City.

Inside the city, there were more people, but not by much.

Mo Hua headed east and found a large forging workshop in the southeast corner.

Above the workshop hung a plaque with bold, powerful brushstrokes reading "Gu Family Forging Workshop," beneath which a smaller plaque bore the words "Gushan Branch."

The plaques were old and covered in dust.

Mo Hua looked around—the forging workshop occupied a vast area, one corner opening into the city, the other connecting to the nearby Gushan Mountain.

Inside the workshop, activity was bustling, with many cultivators present.

Mo Hua swept his spiritual sense through, and beyond the outer array, he detected that most of the qi within the workshop was merely Qi Condensation or Foundation Establishment.

Only one aura was exceptionally profound, nearly solidified, faintly tinged with flame, similar to the feeling given by Uncle Gu—he must be a Jin Dan grand master!

As Mo Hua scanned with his spiritual sense,

Inside the workshop, a towering man with bulging muscles and bronze-toned skin, who had been meditating with closed eyes, suddenly opened them.

The man hesitated for an instant, then gave a low order to a disciple beside him:

"Go see—there's a distinguished guest arriving."

The disciple looked surprised. "A distinguished guest?"

The man frowned, his eyes also filled with doubt.

The Gu family's carriage… someone inside…

Faintly, his perception was unclear—only that the person was very young, with weak spiritual energy, yet an exceptionally strong spiritual sense, carrying a faint sense of pressure.

Even he, a Jin Dan, felt a chill in his heart.

This was highly unusual…

Moreover, Gushan City was remote and rarely visited.

What was he doing here alone?

The man's gaze sharpened, his caution rising, yet he still said: "Bring the guest in—do not be disrespectful."

The disciple understood the gravity and immediately bowed. "Yes, Master!" Then he set off at once.

The workshop's gates were shut.

Mo Hua was unsure whom to approach when suddenly, a creaking sound came—the gates opened.

Out stepped a sturdy youth, bushy brows, large eyes, with a simple, earnest face.

The youth looked up, glancing around, bewildered, muttering:

"Where's the distinguished guest…?"

Only when he lowered his head did he notice a young gentleman with red lips and white teeth standing before him.

The youth froze.

Mo Hua asked: "Is Master Gu here?"

"You… are looking for my master?" the youth asked, puzzled.

"Mm." Mo Hua nodded.

The youth studied Mo Hua again—he wore plain clothes, yet his features were handsome and his bearing extraordinary, his eyes bright as stars.

He frowned.

Could this young gentleman be the "distinguished guest" his master mentioned?

The youth didn't believe it, but remembered his master's words: "Do not be disrespectful." Whether or not he was, he'd invite him in first.

The youth politely said:

"Young Master, please follow me inside."

Mo Hua smiled. "Thank you."

The youth led the way, and Mo Hua stepped into the Gu family's forging workshop.

Inside the workshop, there were many cultivators.

Most of them were forgers or forging apprentices.

The grounds held numerous forging furnaces.

At this moment, the forgers were sweating profusely, heating the old, worn-out furnaces until they glowed red, then focusing intently as they swung massive hammers, forging the embryos of unknown spiritual artifacts.

The sounds of fire, clanging, and shouts rose and fell in succession.

Merely from their forging techniques, these forgers displayed great experience and refined skill.

But the furnaces were far too ancient, and the arrays crude.

The process of forging spiritual artifacts was also quite careless.

So despite its considerable scale, numerous forging furnaces, and refined forging skills, it somehow felt "backward."

But Mo Hua didn't dare stare for long.

After all, he had just arrived and knew no one; prolonged surveillance would invite suspicion.

He walked further inside, entering a large courtyard where many spirit artifacts were displayed.

Passing through the courtyard, he continued inward; the corridor narrowed, then after passing through another large gate, the view suddenly opened up.

Before him was the peak of a mine.

On the peak, several cultivators were mining, and nearby were some simple forging furnaces used to refine the ores.

Mo Hua finally understood: the entire forging guild was not a closed building, but built against the mountain, with walls erected on three sides to enclose this mine.

Inside was the mine; outside, the guild.

One side mined; the other forged.

Mo Hua's eyes lit up.

This was the first time he had ever seen a forging guild structured this way.

Judging by its scale, this forging guild had once been glorious, but now it was desolate—likely fallen on hard times.

Outside the mine, there was a stone table.

Sitting beside it was a large man, frowning in deep thought.

Mo Hua needed only one glance to know this imposing man was a Jin Dan cultivator—and likely the "Master Gu" he sought.

Master Gu also saw Mo Hua.

He stared at Mo Hua for several moments, then paused in surprise.

This… is far too young…

But he was a third-grade forging master and had dealt with all manner of cultivators over the years.

He knew well that in Qianzhou, the younger a cultivator appeared, the more extraordinary their background might be—even if he couldn't befriend them, he must not easily offend them.

The boy led the way, and Mo Hua followed forward to greet Master Gu.

Master Gu nodded politely, then instructed the boy who had guided Mo Hua:

"Ding Da Chuan, go brew some tea."

"Yes, Master."

The boy named "Ding Da Chuan" withdrew.

Master Gu then invited Mo Hua to sit, studied him with cautious eyes, and said carefully:

"May I ask your noble surname, Young Master?"

"I am of the Mo family."

Mo Hua replied crisply.

Mo?

Master Gu was startled.

Not Gu, not Shangguan—his surname is Mo?

There is no major clan named "Mo" near this region of Qianxuezhou…

Master Gu frowned. "This Gushan is remote. What brings you here, Young Master?"

Mo Hua took a letter from his robe and handed it to Master Gu.

Master Gu received the letter, unfolded it, and saw it was blank—he froze, then felt anger rise within him.

Is this Young Master mocking me?

He was about to speak when his gaze flickered and noticed two seals beneath the blank paper.

One was the Gu family's seal; the other, the Shangguan family's.

Master Gu's pupils contracted sharply.

Both family seals!

That meant this Young Master's journey had the explicit approval of both the Shangguan and Gu families.

And yet the letter was still blank…

Either this was a casual letter.

Or it meant this Young Master could do whatever he wished—and whatever he did would be endorsed by both great clans…

Master Gu turned slowly, staring at Mo Hua, his mind reeling.

What exactly is this Young Master's origin?

And…

What does he intend to do, coming here with such a vital letter to this remote Gushan forging guild?

Master Gu's gaze sharpened.

Gushan is remote; the mine has been exhausted.

We remaining forging masters can only forge minor spirit artifacts to barely scrape by—life is already hard enough.

Is this Young Master here to issue orders, to lord over us?

Or is he like other noble youths, here to squeeze us for more profit?

Master Gu clenched his fist slightly, his gaze growing colder, yet his tone remained polite.

"I understand. If you have any request, Young Master, speak freely."

"We will do our utmost…"

Mo Hua found Master Gu's attitude strangely odd.

But then he thought again: after all, this man was a Jin Dan grand cultivator; that he took time to hear the request of a Foundation Establishment cultivator like himself was already generous.

Asking others to be "kind and amiable" is going too far.

Mo Hua said, "Master Gu, I'd like to ask about the 'Zhen Mei' spiritual artifact…"

Master Gu nodded, waiting for Mo Hua to continue.

But after waiting a long while, Mo Hua said nothing.

Master Gu blinked. "And then?"

And then?

Mo Hua also blinked. "Then I went back to the sect for class…"

What else could there be?

Could he possibly have stayed here?

Master Gu looked utterly baffled. "That's it?"

Mo Hua nodded, equally baffled. "That's it…"

Master Gu's expression froze.

Such an important letter, and you came just to ask a few questions? And then left?

You're using the token like a chicken feather?

Master Gu didn't believe it, eyeing Mo Hua skeptically. "Really?"

"Mm…"

Mo Hua slowly nodded.

Master Gu stared at Mo Hua for a long time, confirming he wasn't lying, then slowly sighed, his whole demeanor relaxing.

He even forced a smile at Mo Hua.

Mo Hua was utterly confused, thinking this Master Gu had a strange personality.

"The Zhen Mei spiritual artifact, right? Young Master, just ask directly…"

Master Gu thought for a moment, then added:

"The art of forging is vast. Back then, by chance, I chose the Zhen Mei branch to specialize in. Though I've since switched to other forging branches, my foundation remains. As long as it's not too profound, I know a bit about most things—I should be able to answer your questions…"

Master Gu spoke in great detail, his attitude exceedingly polite.

Mo Hua, by contrast, felt slightly embarrassed.

"Then I'll trouble you, Master Gu."

"Young Master, you're too kind."

"By the way," Mo Hua suddenly remembered something, curious. "Master Gu, why did you stop studying Zhen Mei and switch to another forging branch?"

Master Gu hesitated.

"If it's inconvenient, I won't ask," Mo Hua said.

Master Gu paused, then shook his head, sounding resentful:

"Too hard to do…"

"The branch is shallow, the returns low, no future…"

"Most importantly, you have to bow to the arrangers' whims…"

As if recalling the past, Master Gu's face darkened.

"Those damn arrangers! One after another, arrogant, foul-tempered, demanding—each Zhen Mei template gets changed over ten times…"

"According to them, after ten changes, they snap their fingers and say the first version was best…"

The more Master Gu thought about it, the angrier he grew.

"Back when I was still Foundation Establishment, not yet graduated, I took a job to forge several Zhen Mei…"

"Got harassed and given a hard time by a bunch of Wang Ba arrangers. Even now, I still want to…"

Master Gu's anger flared, then noticed Mo Hua's strange expression—he realized he'd lost composure, and apologized:

"Sorry, Young Master, I wasn't referring to you…"

Mo Hua couldn't speak, only nodded silently.

Time was running late; he couldn't delay any longer.

Mo Hua turned to the main matter.

He asked about the relationship between Zhen Mei spiritual artifacts and other spiritual artifacts.

What differences exist among Zhen Mei?

Which arrays suit which Zhen Mei?

And so on…

Seeing Mo Hua ask such "professional" questions, Master Gu regarded him with new respect, and explained with even greater care, not wanting to lose face.

First, the relationship between arrays and spiritual artifacts.

"Array, Pill, Artifact, Talisman—though these are the four pillars of the Dao, they're not entirely separate or clearly divided…"

"As the Dao has evolved, these disciplines have merged, transformed, and developed together…"

"Among them, arrays are especially crucial…"

Master Gu sighed. "Though I call those arrangers 'damn arrangers' with their narrow eyes, I must admit—arrays have fused most deeply with all other disciplines and exert the greatest influence…"

"Take forging, for example…"

"Of course, forging furnaces require arrays."

"Most spiritual artifacts forged by artisans also contain arrays."

"But different artifacts use different arrays, with different functions…"

"For body cultivators, the internal arrays in their artifacts are meant to reinforce the artifact, maintaining its hardness or sharpness for close combat…"

"Such as the Shatterblade, the Sharp Gold Blade, and so on..."

"Occasionally, they are also inscribed with 'Elemental Spirit Arrays' to enable elemental suppression—such as the Flame Blade, the Frost Ice Blade..."

"The arrays within spirit tools used by cultivators are mostly similar to 'spell arrays'..."

"When fighting others, it is equivalent to having an extra spell."

"But these spirit tool arrays can only be activated by a cultivator's spiritual energy—they cannot be triggered by spirit stones..."

"Moreover, because the arrays are engraved within the spirit tool itself, they are severely restricted, so their power is greatly weakened..."

"The only things capable of fully unleashing an array's power are 'array mediums'!"

Master Gu spoke solemnly, then continued:

"These spirit tools, on the surface, appear as spirit tools, but in essence, they are 'array mediums' created solely for arrays."

"They have the highest compatibility with array patterns."

"They can fully activate the array's power—without loss, without limitation..."

"But array mediums are heavily dependent on arrays and on array masters."

"Different array masters, different arrays—subtle differences vary enormously, making it difficult for array mediums to have fixed 'forms,' so they are hard to mass-produce, carry high risk, and offer no guaranteed future..."

"Furthermore, the 'array mediums' forged are hardly even considered 'spirit tools' in essence, so few metallurgists are willing to study them..."

"As for the relationship between array mediums and arrays..."

"Different types of arrays require different array mediums..."

"For example, array flags are generally used for reconnaissance, hunting, troop warfare, or guiding ship navigation..."

"Array discs have broader applications—basically, for any array, large or small, if you're unsure which 'array medium' to use, drawing an array disc is always safe..."

"There are also some array foundations..."

Master Gu spoke in exhaustive, meticulous detail to Mo Hua.

Mo Hua listened attentively, recording every detail carefully.

During this time, the disciple named Ding Da Chuan came forward to pour tea, then silently withdrew.

After finishing, Master Gu suddenly remembered a question:

"Young Master, why are you asking about array mediums? Are you going to learn metallurgy?"

Mo Hua shook his head, "I can't learn it..."

"Oh right," Master Gu looked at Mo Hua's small frame, incapable of lifting a hammer, and nodded, "Then you..."

"I am an array master," Mo Hua said.

Master Gu raised his eyebrows in surprise, "You're an array master? No wonder..."

You...

An array master?!

Master Gu's heart trembled; cold sweat broke out on his back.

Had he just, in front of an array master, spoken ill of array masters?

Master Gu's lips twitched.

Mo Hua's expression remained calm.

Master Gu cleared his throat nervously, whispering again with emphasis:

"Young Master, I didn't mean you... I didn't mean you at all..."

"It's fine, Master Gu."

Mo Hua said generously.

Seeing that Mo Hua truly wasn't offended, Master Gu finally exhaled in relief.

Though he didn't know this young master's true identity, the fact that he carried seals and letters from the Shang and Gu clans meant he had powerful backing—he couldn't afford to offend him.

Master Gu couldn't help but study Mo Hua again.

Mo Hua asked, "Don't I look like an array master?"

Master Gu shook his head, "You don't..."

Mo Hua was curious, "What's different?"

Master Gu considered carefully: "Typical array masters aren't this young, and they usually have bad tempers, look down their noses, and are arrogant or boastful..."

He had never seen such a young, broad-minded, good-looking, and pleasant little array master before.

Truly rare...

Seeing Master Gu praise him, Mo Hua let go of his earlier slight irritation.

Master Gu thought for a moment, then bowed sincerely:

"I was wrong this time—my words were disrespectful. Please, Young Master, forgive me..."

"If you don't mind, let me take you to a tavern in town, as an apology..."

Mo Hua smiled.

Master Gu was indeed very candid.

But his time was limited—he had no time to spare.

Mo Hua said, "Thank you, Master Gu, but my sect limits my ten-day breaks—I must return to cultivate. If I have time later, I'll come again to ask you more questions—I hope you won't refuse to teach me."

Master Gu invited him several more times, but seeing Mo Hua was determined to leave, he relented and said:

"Next time you come, I'll treat you properly!"

"Thank you, Master Gu!"

Mo Hua rose to leave, but as he turned, he saw the disciple named Ding Da Chuan standing at a distance, looking anxious.

It seemed he had urgent business, but dared not disturb, so he waited a long time.

Master Gu also spotted Ding Da Chuan and called him over, asking:

"What is it?"

Ding Da Chuan said: "Master, the furnace is broken again…"

Master Gu frowned: "If it's broken, just replace it—aren't there plenty of furnaces?"

Ding Da Chuan said bitterly: "I'm halfway through refining an artifact; I can't swap it. Replacing it risks damaging the core, and… restarting the furnace costs more Spirit Stones…"

Master Gu asked: "Where's it broken?"

Ding Da Chuan said: "Same as before—used too long, the formation has aged…"

Master Gu's brow furrowed.

Mo Hua saw this and said: "Let me take a look…"

Master Gu had taught him many refining techniques, which had helped him greatly.

This was a small favor—I might as well help, to repay a debt of gratitude.

If I need his help again later, it'll be easier to ask.

Besides, when I arrived, I'd already inspected it.

In this refining shop, all the furnaces are ancient, and the formations inside aren't even advanced—closed-eyed, I could draw them.

Master Gu looked at Mo Hua, hesitating:

"It's a Rank-Two Mid-Grade formation…"

"No problem," Mo Hua said. "I know a bit about Rank-Two Mid-Grade formations."

Master Gu didn't understand at first.

What do you mean—you know a bit about Rank-Two Mid-Grade formations?

How could a Foundation Establishment Early-Stage cultivator learn a Rank-Two Mid-Grade formation?

I'm not a formation master, but I'm not without common sense.

Yet Mo Hua was calm and confident, turning to Ding Da Chuan beside him: "Take me to see it."

Ding Da Chuan was troubled—he glanced at Mo Hua, then at Master Gu, unsure what to do.

Master Gu sighed and nodded:

"Go take a look."

It's just a Rank-Two refining furnace.

Worst case, it gets ruined—no different from now.

But when they reached the front courtyard and saw the broken furnace, Master Gu still frowned.

The furnace had been taken apart; most of its formation had faded—clearly a formation issue.

Yet the furnace had been scorched by intense flame; just taken apart, its inner walls were still glowing red—ordinary Rank-Two formation brushes couldn't withstand such heat.

You'd have to wait one or two hours for the furnace to cool naturally, or you couldn't draw the formation.

"Young Master, I think we should just give up—this…"

Master Gu stopped mid-sentence, suddenly stunned.

He saw Mo Hua pull out a vial of Spirit Ink, then, without even using a brush, flick his small hand—the red fire-element Spirit Ink slithered out like a tiny snake on its own.

Then Mo Hua pointed.

The Spirit Ink floated in midair, tracing a winding path before gliding onto the furnace's glowing inner wall.

After that, Mo Hua's small hand flicked swiftly through the air.

Soon after, a sixteen-stroke Rank-Two Fire-Resonance formation appeared clearly on the furnace.

And the formation lines were tight, the brushwork precise—not a single stroke off.

Nearby refining masters, young or old, high or low in cultivation, experienced or inexperienced, all stared in shock…

In that instant, they all felt dazed.

"Is this… how a formation master works?"

"Is this… how you draw a formation?"

Yet Mo Hua acted as if he'd done something trivial, tucked away the remaining Spirit Ink, waved his hand, and said:

"I'm leaving now."

Master Gu nodded blankly, even forgetting to see Mo Hua off.

Only when Mo Hua was far away did he snap back to awareness.

Master Gu watched Mo Hua's retreating figure, frowning in thought:

"This Young Master… just who is he?"

"His formation technique—I don't understand it, but it's profoundly shocking…"

"He's sincere in manner, and clearly has background…"

"I wonder if I could…"

Master Gu raised his head, looked around at the gathering refining masters and apprentices, and sighed deeply.

"These people follow me—I must give them some hope…"

"I can't let them rot with me in this remote, abandoned Shancheng…"

…

Night had fallen.

Mo Hua sat alone in a carriage, setting out on the road away from Shancheng.

He had to travel by night.

The holiday was short; he still had to visit Huang Shanjun, so he had no time to rest.

Anyway, at night he would travel the main road, which was generally not dangerous.

If danger arose, the cover of night would make him safer.

Mo Hua still found the matter of Shancheng strange.

It was clearly a third-grade Xiancheng—why were there so few Jin Dan, and why did it look so desolate?

But this journey was rushed, and he hadn't had time to ask in detail; he'd bring it up next time he got the chance.

Getting there was more important.

So Mo Hua followed the main road, taking a detour, heading toward the ruined temple on Ku Mountain where Huang Shanjun was.

The night was deep, the mountains hazy.

It looked dangerous, yet the journey remained silent.

In another hour, he would reach Ku Mountain and see Huang Shanjun.

But as he passed through a Xiancheng, Mo Hua suddenly felt a jolt in his heart.

He had the feeling that something had happened nearby…

(End of Chapter)