Chapter 72: Chapter Seventy-Two: The Alchemy Furnace

Master Feng shook his head, "It must be old—last time the array was repaired, was it ten years ago or twenty? It's held up this long without issues, that's already impressive."

"Then this alchemy furnace…"

Master Feng twisted the crane carving on the furnace's outer wall; both inner and outer layers began rotating, then separated, revealing the array inscribed on the furnace's inner surface.

"I won't go back on my word to you, but first I must test you."

Master Feng pointed to the array on the furnace's inner wall, "Identify these arrays for me."

Mo Hua stepped closer, studied it carefully, then after a moment's thought said, "Melt-Fire Array, Wood Qi Array, Spirit Gathering Array… this is a compound array combining three individual arrays?"

Master Feng was slightly startled, "You've even learned compound arrays?"

A single array formed by array lines is called a single array; when multiple single arrays connect, they form a compound array.

Compound arrays are stronger than single arrays and can achieve more complex spiritual effects, but only array masters with deep heritage and lineage can learn them—let alone ordinary cultivators.

Master Feng knew Mo Hua was studying arrays and that Mo Hua had extraordinary spiritual sense and talent in arraycraft, but he never expected Mo Hua could now identify a compound array at a glance.

Mo Hua blushed, "I can't draw compound arrays myself—I've only seen them in books. I haven't even mastered basic single arrays yet."

Master Feng nodded, "For your age, knowing this much is already good. This is a compound array called the Wood-Fire Spirit Control Array—it combines Wood and Fire spiritual effects: Wood Qi nurtures medicinal herbs, Fire refines their essence, and the two are harmonized through the array to produce the desired pills."

"This seems much more complex than an alchemy furnace…" Mo Hua muttered.

"Still want to try?"

"Yes," Mo Hua said, "I can't draw compound arrays, but if it's just repairing the array, copying what I've seen shouldn't be a problem."

Liu Ruhua gently took Mo Hua's hand and whispered, "If you're not sure, don't bother—it's enough trouble for Master Feng already."

Master Feng smiled, "No harm. Let him draw freely—even if he makes mistakes, it's good practice. Whether refining pills or drawing arrays, if you fear error, you'll never gain true insight."

"Thank you, Grandpa Feng!"

Mo Hua no longer hesitated; he asked Master Feng for Wood and Fire spiritual ink and began repairing the array.

This Wood-Fire Spirit Control Array had failed because years of alchemy had worn down some of its array lines, preventing spiritual energy flow.

Mo Hua's task was simple: restore the dimmed, inactive array lines so spiritual energy could circulate smoothly again.

Mo Hua held the array brush in his small hand, dipped it in spiritual ink, and began tracing the lines.

Master Feng inwardly approved—his strokes were calm, unhurried, without hesitation; clearly the result of diligent practice. This child had indeed put in tremendous effort in arraycraft.

Of the three arrays, two had completely failed lines, but another six or seven dimmed lines also needed redrawing.

Mo Hua's spiritual sense couldn't sustain drawing so many lines, and his spiritual energy drained quickly—he rested two or three times before finishing the repair.

At Qi Refinement Third Layer, completing eight or nine array lines—even with breaks—was far stronger than Master Feng had expected.

Master Feng's gaze toward Mo Hua grew more serious.

"Grandpa Feng, I'm done. Can you check if the furnace works now?"

"Oh, alright, let me see."

Master Feng snapped back to attention, calmed his thoughts, inspected the furnace. Though he'd anticipated success, he still couldn't hide his surprise and sincerely praised,

"Excellent—it's truly fixed. You've done me a great favor today."

Mo Hua grinned.

Liu Ruhua gently tapped Mo Hua's forehead, "Master Feng praises you a little, and you don't even show modesty."

Her tone held mild reprimand, but her expression was deeply pleased.

Master Feng lit the furnace and refined the pills, taking an hour to complete them, then placed them in a blue-and-white porcelain bottle and handed it to Liu Ruhua.

"Take two pills each morning and evening. Come back when you've finished them."

Liu Ruhua bowed, "Thank you, Master Feng."

Mo Hua followed suit, "Thank you, Grandpa Feng."

Just before leaving, Master Feng suddenly called out to Mo Hua, paused in thought, then said,

"Hua, if you ever meet weak or destitute cultivators, within your ability, help them if you can."

Mo Hua nodded, but asked curiously, "Grandpa Feng, why say this now?"

Master Feng looked at Mo Hua, "I'm old. My whole life, I've only been able to help a small corner's scattered cultivators with pills and healing. But you—you may one day help far more."

"'Understand the Dao, benefit all beings'—that's what my master taught me. He saved me when I was poor and broken, passed on to me alchemy, and gave me this life."

Master Feng's master held this belief and saved Master Feng; Master Feng, guided by this kindness, saved Mo Hua when he was born weak and frail, and Liu Ruhua when she was poisoned by fire toxicity.

Mo Hua was deeply moved and solemnly nodded, "Grandpa Feng, I'll remember."

Master Feng's eyes showed a trace of satisfaction.

Mo Hua then asked again,

"What if some people aren't worth helping?"

"Not helping those unworthy of help is also a form of helping," Master Feng said, his tone profound.

Back home, Mo Hua continued studying arrays in his room.

Liu Ruhua finished tidying the eatery and sat before the hall sewing clothes.

Just as midnight arrived, Mo Shan returned from hunting demons, dusty and weary. He wore several beast pelts over his shoulders, carried several storage bags at his waist, his clothes torn in places and stained with blood. Seeing his wife, his tired expression softened:

"Why aren't you asleep yet?"

Liu Ruhua took off his pelts and storage bags, brought him clean clothes to change into, "I couldn't rest until you came back. Were you injured?"

"Just minor cuts—applied medicine, nothing serious. Where's Hua?"

"In his room reading. He's probably asleep now."

"Hmm."

Liu Ruhua brought out food; Mo Shan devoured it ravenously.

The dim candlelight flickered softly; the room lay in quiet stillness.

Seeing Liu Ruhua's smiling lips, Mo Shan asked with a grin, "Something happy happened?"

"Mm," Liu Ruhua said, "Old Mr. Feng praised Hua'er's array formations today, said they were well drawn…"

Liu Ruhua recounted the day's events, then said, "I often hear others praise Hua'er for having talent. A clever child is easily praised, and that doesn't necessarily mean anything. But Old Mr. Feng is well-traveled and knowledgeable—if he says Mo Hua has talent, then Hua'er might really be able to become an array master…"

Liu Ruhua sighed, "My constitution is weak, and I've dragged Hua'er down with a frail body since birth. As the saying goes, live off the mountain if you live by one. Near Xiancheng there are many demon beasts, and most cultivators can only make a living as demon-hunters. But Hua'er is frail and can't be a demon-hunter; he can't make that living. We can't take care of him for a lifetime either. I used to worry—what if something happened, what if we couldn't be by his side, what would become of this child if he couldn't support himself? Now that he has hope of becoming an array master and won't have to fight demon beasts, I can set my mind at ease."

Seeing Mo Shan gently held his wife's hand. "Don't worry. Mo Hua is clever and sensible; he'll certainly make something of himself in the future. We'll watch him grow up, watch him rise above the rest, marry and have children. So you must take good care of your own health—the days ahead are still long…"

"Mm." Liu Ruhua nestled gently into Seeing Mo Shan's embrace.

Inside the room, Mo Hua opened his eyes. Since he had been practicing array formations day and night, his divine sense had grown much stronger, so he had heard every word his parents said.

The corners of Mo Hua's eyes were slightly wet. He gently wiped them, then sank his divine sense into his sea of consciousness and continued practicing array formations on the Dao Stele.