Chapter 33: Refining

On the second day, Mo Hua did not practice the Melt Fire Array. Instead, holding spirit stones, he went to Chen Ji Refining Tool Shop and found Master Chen.

Master Chen was a little surprised to see Mo Hua. When he heard that Mo Hua actually planned to refine a stove furnace, he was even more surprised.

"You really plan to refine a stove furnace?"

"Naturally, but only a small one, probably four feet high. The materials don't need to be too expensive either, as long as it's sturdy and durable."

Master Chen nodded, "That's just right. If you were refining a large stove furnace, my people here wouldn't have enough hands. This seems for your own use, and you're all neighborhood neighbors. I'll pick out some cheap and good materials for you, guaranteed to be affordable and durable."

Mo Hua happily said, "Thank you, Master Chen!"

"But," Master Chen looked at Mo Hua, then glanced behind him, saying doubtfully,

"Your father and mother, refining a stove furnace is not a small matter. After all, it must be discussed with adults before it counts."

Mo Hua patted his chest, "My father said to leave it to me. Just tell me if you have any matters, Master Chen."

Master Chen looked at the little Mo Hua, nodded, "Indeed, children of poor families become heads of household early."

After speaking, he furrowed his brow, hesitated for a moment, but still said,

"Can you bring the deposit? The material fee for the stove furnace is one hundred and fifty spirit stones. It needs twenty days to refine, at five spirit stones a day. The refining fee is one hundred spirit stones. This deposit is the material fee. You must first pay one hundred and fifty spirit stones. The refining fee can be settled after it's completed."

"Um, I brought it."

Mo Hua took out a heavy storage bag from his chest. He opened the bag's mouth, and inside were all crystal clear spirit stones.

This sum of spirit stones, in an ordinary rogue cultivator's family, would also be a huge amount. This child just carried it in his bosom...

Master Chen received the storage bag with a complex expression, counted exactly one hundred and fifty spirit stones, then took out a spirit contract, writing down the materials, fees, and delivery date for the refined stove furnace clearly.

A spirit contract is a voucher recognized in the cultivation world for establishing contracts. Each spirit contract is special, not easy to destroy or forge, serving as evidence for cultivators' spirit stone and goods transactions. If there are disputes, authoritative cultivators or the Dao Court Department can be found to mediate.

The spirit contract was in two copies. Master Chen signed his name, then handed a copy of the spirit contract to Mo Hua.

Mo Hua also signed his name. Each person kept one copy as evidence for the refining delivery.

Master Chen originally wanted Mo Hua to sign his father's name, but he thought about it and didn't say anything, thinking that since his parents let him be responsible, it was the same if he signed it.

Under the Heaven's Way, all beings are equal. Regardless of cultivation level, age, or youth, a signed spirit contract counts.

"Mo Hua..."

Master Chen saw the dignified and handsome handwriting on the spirit contract, then knew this child's name was "Mo Hua". He looked at his appearance again; indeed, he had red lips and white teeth, and his eyebrows and eyes were like a painting, quite fitting the name.

Moreover, adding in the not-small business discussed, which meant livelihood was secure for more than half a month, the more he looked at Mo Hua, the more pleasing he became.

"Little brother, the spirit contract is signed. We'll start refining the tool tomorrow. We'll definitely hurry up and refine it for you. If you have free time, you can also come over to see the progress or learn about refining tools. Generally, I don't let apprentices from outside the shop see."

"Good, good, thank you, Master Chen!"

Mo Hua was quite interested in refining tools. Although he might never refine a single spirit tool in his lifetime, he could learn knowledge related to refining tools. The more, the better. This practical refining craftsmanship wouldn't be taught in the sect.

In the following days, Mo Hua still practiced the Melt Fire Array method as usual. Occasionally, when he had free time, he would go to the refining tool shop to see the progress of the stove furnace refining, and conveniently ask some related knowledge about refining tools.

Master Chen also didn't hide anything privately. If there was a question, he would answer it. After several days of this contact, he was both surprised by Mo Hua's high learning comprehension and also felt pity for Mo Hua's very poor body refining aptitude.

He had seen children with weak congenital bodies, but he had seldom seen such a weak body that couldn't even swing a refining hammer.

Otherwise, Master Chen really wanted to take Mo Hua as a disciple.

Mo Hua watched the refining tool process for several days, one was to learn some common knowledge about refining tools, and the other was to correct the strokes and size of the Melt Fire Array.

The daily array was drawn on paper, so he could practice more. It didn't matter if he made a mistake; he could just change the paper.

But now he had to draw it on the stove furnace. If he made a mistake temporarily, he couldn't just ask Master Chen to refine another one, right...

So Mo Hua had to be very familiar with the structure of the stove furnace and had to come to the refining tool shop often to see the progress.

One early morning, Mo Hua finished drinking the porridge his mother personally boiled, then practiced the array method for a bit. Taking advantage of the sun not being fierce, he slowly and leisurely came to Chen Ji Refining Tool Shop again.

When he arrived at the refining tool shop, he discovered that the usually bustling and lively shop inside was very quiet today. There were neither loud hawking sounds nor the "clang clang" sound of striking iron.

Mo Hua walked to the backyard and saw Master Chen and several apprentices packing things. The refining tool furnace had extinguished its fire, the furnace cover was open, and there was some cleaned ash on the ground.

"Master Chen, what happened?"

Master Chen saw Mo Hua and said apologetically, "Little brother, sorry, the refining tool furnace is broken. Your wanted stove furnace will likely be delayed."

"The refining tool furnace is broken?"

Master Chen also had a depressed look on his face, "This refining tool furnace is already a few years old. There were some small problems before, which could be repaired and still barely used. As a result, when I came over today, I couldn't light the fire, ah..."

"Can't it be repaired?" Mo Hua asked.

Master Chen shook his head, "Before, the outer parts of the refining tool furnace had problems, which I could still repair. Now it should be an internal array problem. There's nothing we can do about that. We can only ask masters from other refining pavilions to take a look. If we still need to ask an array master to repair the array, that will cost quite a few spirit stones..."

"Array?" Mo Hua's spirit stirred, "Can I see it?"

Master Chen was slightly startled, "See what?"

"I'll see the array."

"Why are you looking at the array?" Master Chen said doubtfully, "Do you understand arrays?"

Mo Hua said, "I learned some arrays from my teacher in the sect. Let me see if I can help you all with anything, at least I can help you all see if it's an array problem."

Master Chen was half-believing and half-doubting. He thought about it. The refining tool furnace was broken anyway, so there was no loss in letting him see. Then he said, "Okay, I'll let them thoroughly dismantle the refining tool furnace so you can see the array inside."

After speaking, he and several apprentices started moving their hands, dismantling the refining tool furnace bit by bit.

The refining tool furnace was two people high, refined from various refined irons, and very heavy. However, the refining body talent of several apprentices was not bad. They were tall and strong and cooperated with each other, so it wasn't particularly strenuous.

Mo Hua was very self-aware and didn't even think about helping to move things.

After the refining tool furnace was dismantled, they could see the dense array patterns carved inside the furnace. The array patterns were dark red, some covered by black ash, but barely discernible. They could still recognize that the array drawn inside the refining tool furnace was exactly a complete fire system array.

Precisely the array that Mo Hua painted every day, but was not yet able to paint completely... the Melt Fire Array.