Chapter 34: Array Construction

"It's actually the Molten Fire Array," Mo Hua said.

"Correct," Master Chen nodded. He had recognized the array at a glance when he saw Mo Hua, which earned his slight acknowledgment, and his tone became more serious.

"Little brother Mo, can you see if there's a problem with this array? I completely don't understand it and can't see anything."

Master Chen had his people wipe away the black ash on the refining furnace. Mo Hua then lay at the furnace mouth, carefully looking at the patterns of the Molten Fire Array on the furnace wall.

Although he couldn't completely draw it out yet, he had practiced drawing the array patterns day and night, and they were deeply ingrained in his mind. In a short while, he pointed to several places and said to Master Chen:

"It is indeed a problem with the array. The array patterns in these several places are all worn out, and the spiritual power cannot be conducted, thus the array is invalid."

Master Chen saw that Mo Hua spoke with reason and order, and couldn't help but look at him with new eyes. After that, he frowned again:

"Then we can only invite an array master to help repair it. Alas, business wasn't very good to begin with, and this time I don't know how many more spirit stones we'll have to spend..."

Mo Hua asked, "Is it very expensive to invite an array master to repair an array?"

"That is natural," Master Chen answered. "There aren't many array masters to begin with, and in situations like this, where a special repair is needed, you have to give a few more spirit stones, otherwise others aren't willing to come."

Mo Hua pondered and said, "How about I give it a try?"

"You?" Master Chen was greatly surprised. "Are you already an array master?"

Mo Hua modestly waved his hand and said, "Not yet. I just followed the teacher in the sect to learn arrays, and I just happened to learn this array before."

Master Chen looked at the half-person tall, childish-faced Mo Hua and said very tactfully, "Forget it. You're just a child, don't tire yourself out."

Mo Hua knew that Master Chen still had worries. His eyes turned, and he asked, "Uncle Chen, even if you invite them, they aren't necessarily true array masters, right?"

"This..." Master Chen said, "Indeed so. Some are actually just apprentices and aren't yet considered array masters. But when asking for help, you naturally have to say some good words. Whether they are array masters or not, calling them array masters is always good. They are happy to hear it, and things go smoothly. We aren't very clear about other things and it's not good to ask too much, as long as the array is repaired well."

"Do they repair it well every time?"

Master Chen thought for a bit and said, "There were several times when it was very smooth and the repair was finished quickly. There were also times when they painted and modified for half a day and it still didn't work. Finally, they had to change to someone else to repair it."

"That's just it. Most of those who come are just apprentices. Even if their array level is higher than mine, it's not much higher," Mo Hua said confidently.

Of course, the level of proper apprentices should be higher than Mo Hua's, but the level of some apprentices might indeed not surpass him.

Mo Hua added, "They come to repair and it gets repaired, I repair and it gets repaired. At most, if I don't repair it well, you can invite them to come again."

These words... seemed to have some reason...

Master Chen was somewhat convinced but still a bit hesitant. Seeing the situation, Mo Hua continued:

"Even if you invite an array master, they can't necessarily come immediately. You still have to see if they have free time. Delaying for one day means one less day of income for the refining shop. If it's delayed for a long time, it will be difficult to make ends meet."

The refining shop's business was okay, but the profit was not high. Master Chen was also unwilling to cut corners, so the money he earned was hard-earned. Moreover, he still had to support these several apprentices with food and drink. Once work stopped for a long time, it was indeed difficult to recover.

Master Chen's head ached a bit. Finally, he gritted his teeth and said, "Alright, little brother, you try."

After speaking, he carefully and cautiously instructed, "But just try. Don't force it, don't mess up the array..."

Mo Hua guaranteed, "Rest assured, at most, I just won't repair it well."

Master Chen felt comforted, but also seemed not comforted.

Mo Hua asked Master Chen to wait a bit. He first went home to get his pen and fire-attributed ink, and then brought the Molten Fire Array diagram with him. Upon arriving at the refining shop, he first showed the diagram to Master Chen.

Master Chen saw that the array on the diagram was indeed similar to the one on the refining furnace, and he felt somewhat relieved. At least it wasn't completely unreliable.

This was the first time drawing an array on a spiritual tool. Mo Hua was a bit nervous, but thankfully he had practiced the Molten Fire Array too many times. After starting to draw, his mindset became calm instead.

Repairing an array is different from drawing an array. It doesn't require consuming too much divine sense, because the array itself is complete. So, you only need to redraw and connect the damaged parts of the array patterns with ink.

What is tested is the array master's eyesight, carefulness, and familiarity with the array.

Mo Hua lay at the edge of the furnace, painting with full concentration.

Before half an hour had passed, Mo Hua finished repairing the array. He then spent another cup of tea time checking it once. After confirming there were no problems, he finally let out a breath.

Master Chen was staring nervously from the side, afraid that Mo Hua would mess up the array. Seeing the situation, he quickly asked, "Is this... repaired?"

Mo Hua's clothes were dirty, and his face had several ash marks. He said with some uncertainty, "It should be fine. How about we light a fire and try?"

Master Chen's expression was a bit complex, but he still, along with several apprentices, re-sealed the array, reassembled the refining furnace, then embedded spirit stones into the furnace, and urged spiritual power to light the fire.

But the fire didn't light up.

Mo Hua was stunned, and touched his chin. His small face, which originally had ash marks, was now even dirtier and messier.

"Why is there no fire? The array should be repaired well."

Master Chen asked, "Little brother, are you sure there's no problem with the array?"

Mo Hua flipped out the Molten Fire Array diagram, compared it carefully again, and then nodded: "There's no problem with the array."

Master Chen touched the refining furnace with his hand, felt the temperature underneath, and said to the several apprentices, "Not enough spiritual power, add a few more spirit stones, and then burn a branding iron and throw it in."

Several disciples did as told, and indeed the temperature of the refining furnace gradually rose.

In a short while, a fire "whoosh" burst out.

Master Chen was greatly pleased, "Good!"

Several disciples also became happy. Since the refining furnace could be used, they had work to do and could also follow their master to learn things. Therefore, their expressions towards Mo Hua were all filled with admiration.

Mo Hua was also very happy and said, "Let's refine a spiritual tool and see if there are any problems."

Master Chen casually threw in a knife. After refining for a while, he said with a slight regret, "There are no big problems with using it, but the fire power is a bit smaller than before. Refining tools might take longer."

Mo Hua was a bit puzzled, "The same array, why would the fire power be smaller? Could it be that the effect will be lower after repairing the array?"

Master Chen shook his head, "It's been repaired several times before, but the fire power didn't decrease much."

"Then why?"

Mo Hua frowned, thinking if he didn't draw the array well in some place.

Master Chen thought for a bit, pointing at the ink in Mo Hua's inkstone and said:

"Perhaps it's the ink problem? When I invited people to repair it before, the ink they used was obviously a deeper color than yours, bright red, looking as if there was fire burning within it."

Mo Hua suddenly realized that for convenience and to save money, he had bought the cheapest fire-attributed ink. It was okay for practicing arrays every day, but when truly painting on a spiritual tool, the effect was certainly poorer.

"For the array effect to be good, higher-grade spiritual ink is still needed."

Mo Hua silently took note, then said a bit embarrassed, "That should be the ink problem. I bought cheap stuff, and the activation effect of spiritual power might not be good."

Master Chen said, "What are you saying? Although the fire power is a bit smaller, it's good that it can be used. In the end, I, this old man, still have to thank you."

Master Chen thought for a bit, gritted his teeth: "For that stove furnace you want, you don't need to pay the refining fee. I'll refine the stove furnace for you for free. Of course, I won't return the material fee. After all, I have this large group of young fellows, and I still need to leave some food for them."

Mo Hua looked at the spacious but simple refining shop, then looked at the pitch-black Master Chen and the refining disciples beside him, who were covered in sweat and had black ash on their faces. He knew that earning some spirit stones was very difficult for them. He then said:

"Uncle Chen, just give me a 50% discount on the refining fee."

Master Chen shook his head, "That won't do. This is still taking advantage of you. To invite others to repair this array would cost at least one or two hundred spirit stones."

"You don't need to give that much."

Master Chen's temper became stubborn, "Cultivators speak of integrity. A promise is a promise. Once words are spoken, how can they be easily taken back? Since I said I won't accept your spirit stones, I definitely cannot accept them!"

This temper was too straightforward...

Mo Hua had no choice. His mind turned, and he said with a smile, "Then let's do it this way. I won't give the refining fee. When the stove furnace is finished refining, I'll give you some spirit stones as a hard work fee for you and everyone."

"This..."

Master Chen was unclear for a moment. Refining fee and hard work fee seemed the same, but they felt a bit different.

"It's like asking friends for help. Sometimes you also have to give a hard work fee," Mo Hua added.

"Then... okay."

Master Chen felt that these words were indeed reasonable.

Several disciples also looked at Mo Hua gratefully.

Their families were not wealthy to begin with. Being disciples and helping out allowed them to earn a bit to supplement their families. If they couldn't earn spirit stones, their already difficult lives would become even more difficult.

And being able to earn spirit stones, even just one more, made life a bit easier.

"Then it's decided! It's not early, I have to go home for a meal!"

Mo Hua waved his small hand goodbye.

Master Chen instructed Mo Hua to be careful on the road and also said, "If you want to refine tools later, just come find me. I'll give you a discount!"