Chapter 663: Lonely Mountain Refining Artifacts

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The border of Qianxue State is beautiful, each area having its own unique scenery.

Mo Hua sat comfortably inside the carriage, enjoying the scenery while hurrying towards Gushan City.

Departing early in the morning, after nearly half a day's carriage journey, the carriage entered the vicinity of Gushan City.

Mo Hua raised his eyes and looked around, somewhat surprised.

Compared to the scenery along the way, the area near Gushan City was much more dilapidated, with bare mountains and rocks, withered vegetation, and a grey, hazy sky.

There were many abandoned mines around.

Human habitation was also sparse.

The scattered cultivators along the road mostly had dejected expressions, as if enduring some sorrow.

Mo Hua frowned.

Gushan City is a third-grade immortal city, but it looks even poorer and more destitute than the general second-grade boundary.

This was far beyond his expectations.

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

Upon entering Gushan City, there were more people, but not significantly so.

Mo Hua went towards the east of the city and found a large refining tool shop located in the southeast corner.

The refining tool shop had a plaque with vigorous brushstrokes, bearing the five large characters "Gu Family Refining Tool Shop", and below it was another small plaque with the four characters "Gushan Branch".

The plaque was somewhat old and covered in dust.

Mo Hua looked around. This refining tool shop occupied an extremely large area, with one corner open within the city and another connected to the nearby Gushan mountain.

Inside the refining tool shop, it was bustling with activity, and there seemed to be many cultivators.

Mo Hua's divine sense swept through the array outside the city and discovered that the breaths inside the refining tool shop were mostly at the Refining Qi and Foundation Building stages.

Only one breath was very vigorous, almost substantial, with a faint fiery aura, very similar to the feeling Uncle Gu gave him. It should be a Gold Core Great Cultivator!

As Mo Hua's divine sense swept through.

Inside the refining tool shop, a tall, muscular man with an ancient bronze complexion, who had been resting with his eyes closed, suddenly opened them.

The big man hesitated for a moment, then instructed a disciple beside him in a low voice:

"Go see, a distinguished guest has arrived."

The disciple looked surprised, "Distinguished guest?"

The big man frowned, and there was also some doubt in his eyes.

A Gu family carriage, with one person inside...

Vaguely, he couldn't perceive clearly, only knowing that the age was very young, the spiritual power was very weak, but the divine sense was very strong, and it also carried a faint oppressive feeling.

It even made him, a Gold Core, feel a sense of awe.

This was very unreasonable...

Moreover, Gushan City is remote, and human traces are rare.

What would he do here alone?

The big man's gaze slightly condensed, and his heart was vigilant, but he still said: "First invite the person in, don't be negligent."

The disciple knew the importance, immediately cupped his hands and said: "Yes, Master!" Then he went to receive the order.

The gate of the refining tool shop was tightly closed.

Mo Hua was just wondering who to find, when he suddenly heard a "creak" sound and the gate opened.

A sturdy young man with thick eyebrows and big eyes, and an honest face, walked out from inside the door.

The young man raised his head and looked around, somewhat stunned, muttering:

"Where is the distinguished guest..."

He lowered his head and discovered that a fair-skinned young master was standing in front of him.

The young man was stunned.

Mo Hua then asked: "Is Master Gu in?"

"You... looking for my master?" the young man asked doubtfully.

"Um." Mo Hua nodded.

The young man sized up Mo Hua again, seeing his simple clothes but handsome appearance, extraordinary bearing, and a pair of bright eyes like stars.

He frowned.

This young master... could he be the "distinguished guest" that master mentioned?

The young man didn't quite believe it, but remembered master's words "cannot be negligent", so whether it was or not, he would invite him in first.

The young man then politely said:

"Young master, please follow me in."

Mo Hua smiled: "Thank you."

Then the young man led the way, and Mo Hua walked into the Gu family's refining tool shop.

Inside the refining tool shop, there were many cultivators.

These cultivators were mostly refining tool masters or apprentices.

In the fields, there were also many refining tool furnaces.

At this time, the refining tool masters were sweating profusely, having heated the accumulated old refining tool furnaces to a red hot state, then concentrating fully to swing their large hammers and forge unknown spiritual tool embryos.

The sound of flames, the clang of hammers, and shouting sounds were continuous.

Just looking at the forging techniques, these refining tool masters were all very experienced and skilled.

But the refining tool furnaces were too old, and the arrays were also very crude.

The process of forging spiritual tools was also relatively perfunctory.

So although the scale was not small, there were many refining tool furnaces, and the refining tool skills were exquisite, it always felt "backward" and incongruous.

However, Mo Hua didn't have the nerve to keep staring.

After all, he had just arrived, and he wasn't familiar with anyone. Peeking for a long time would arouse suspicion.

Walking further inside, he entered a large courtyard where many spiritual tools were displayed.

Passing through the courtyard, he continued walking inside, and the corridor became narrow. Then he passed through a gate, and his vision suddenly opened up.

In front was a mountain peak.

On the mountain peak, many cultivators were digging mines, and there were also some simple refining tool furnaces nearby, used to refine these ores.

Mo Hua then understood that the entire refining tool shop was not a closed building, but was built against the mountain, with walls built on three sides, enclosing this mine.

There were mines inside, and shops built outside.

Mining on one side, refining tools on the other.

Mo Hua's eyes lit up.

This was the first time he had seen a refining tool shop in this form.

From the scale, this refining tool shop was once very prosperous, but now it was desolate, estimated to be in decline.

At this time, outside the mine, there was a stone table.

A big man was sitting by the stone table, frowning and thinking about something.

Mo Hua only glanced at him and knew that this majestic big man was a Gold Core cultivator and should be the "Master Gu" he was looking for.

Master Gu also saw Mo Hua.

He stared at Mo Hua for a long time, involuntarily stunned.

This was... too young...

But he was a third-grade refining tool master, and over the years, he had dealt with all kinds of cultivators.

He deeply knew that in Qianxue State, the younger you were, the more unusual your identity might be. Even if you couldn't make friends, you shouldn't offend easily.

The young man led the way, and Mo Hua followed, walking up and greeting Master Gu.

Master Gu also nodded politely, then instructed the young man who had just led Mo Hua:

"Da Chuan, go boil a pot of tea."

"Yes, Master."

The young man named "Da Chuan" then retreated.

Afterwards, Master Gu invited Mo Hua to sit, and again cautiously sized up Mo Hua, considering and saying:

"May I ask young master's honorable surname?"

"My surname is Mo."

Mo Hua said clearly.

Surname Mo?

Master Gu was startled.

Not surnamed "Gu", nor surnamed "Shangguan", but actually surnamed Mo?

In the vicinity of Qianxue State, there were no big families with the surname "Mo"...

Master Gu frowned, "Gushan is remote, may I know what brings young master here?"

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

Master Gu took the letter, unfolded it and took a look, seeing that the letter was blank, involuntarily startled, then became angry in his heart.

Could this young master have come to play a trick on him?

He was just about to say something when he glanced and saw two seals below the blank letter.

One was from the "Gu" family, and one was from the "Shangguan" family.

Master Gu's pupils constricted.

Seals of two families!

This meant that this young master's trip had obtained the authorization of both the Shangguan family and the Gu family.

And the letter was still blank...

Either this was a very casual letter.

Or it meant that whatever this young master wanted to do, he could just do it, and no matter what he did, it would all be recognized by the two big families...

Master Gu woodenly turned his head and looked at Mo Hua, shocked in his heart.

What exactly was the background of this young master?

Moreover...

Holding such an important letter, what exactly did he want to do at this refining tool shop in Gushan?

Master Gu's gaze condensed slightly.

Gushan was remote, and the mines were exhausted.

They, these refining tool masters who stayed here, could only casually forge some spiritual tools to barely make ends meet. Life was already very hard.

Did this young master want to come and issue orders and act arrogantly?

Or like the young masters of other families, did he want to scrape another layer of oil from their bodies?

Master Gu slightly clenched his fists, his gaze already a little cold, but his tone was still polite.

"I understand, if young master has any requests, please feel free to say so."

"We will certainly do our best..."

Mo Hua felt that Master Gu's attitude was a bit strange.

But thinking about it again, the other party was after all a Gold Core Great Cultivator, and being able to spare time to listen to the requests of himself, a small cultivator in the Foundation Building stage, was already not bad.

Asking for the other party to be "amiable" was a bit excessive.

Mo Hua then said: "Master Gu, I want to ask some questions about 'array medium' spiritual tools..."

Master Gu nodded, waiting for Mo Hua to continue.

But after waiting for a long time, Mo Hua didn't say anything.

Master Gu was stunned, "Then?"

Then?

Mo Hua was also stunned, "Then I'll go back to the sect to attend class..."

What else could happen then?

Could he stay here?

Master Gu's face was blank, "Just this?"

Mo Hua also nodded blankly, "Just this..."

Master Gu's expression froze.

Such an important letter, and you just used it to ask some things? And then you're going back?

Are you... treating the token like chicken feathers?

Master Gu didn't believe it, looking at Mo Hua suspiciously, "Really?"

"Um..."

Mo Hua nodded slowly.

Master Gu stared at Mo Hua for a long time, confirming that he didn't seem to be lying, then slowly let out a sigh of relief, and his whole person relaxed a lot.

He even managed to squeeze out a smile at Mo Hua.

Mo Hua was completely confused, only feeling that this Master Gu had a somewhat strange temperament.

"Array medium spiritual tools are fine, young master, what do you want to know? Just ask directly."

Master Gu thought for a moment, then added:

"The categories of refining tools are diverse. By chance that year, I chose the 'array medium' refining tool branch to study. Although I have changed to learn other refining tool categories now, the foundation is still there. As long as it's not too profound, I mostly know a thing or two, which should be enough to answer young master's doubts..."

Master Gu said in detail, with an extremely good attitude.

Mo Hua was somewhat embarrassed instead.

"Then I will trouble Master Gu."

"You are welcome, young master."

"Right," Mo Hua thought of something and suddenly asked curiously, "Master Gu, why didn't you learn array mediums and instead learned other refining tool branches?"

Master Gu hesitated.

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

Master Gu was startled, then shook his head, saying unwillingly:

"Too difficult to do..."

"The category is shallow, the income is low, there's no prospect..."

"The most crucial thing is, you still have to look at the faces of the array masters..."

As if recalling past events, Master Gu's face was very ugly.

"Those dog array masters! One or two, eyes higher than the top, bad tempers, demanding. An array medium spiritual tool template, back and forth, can be modified ten times..."

"According to their meaning, after modifying it ten times, they pat their heads and say the first version was still the best..."

Master Gu became more and more angry as he thought about it.

"That year I was still in Foundation Building, not yet graduated, and I took a job refining several array mediums..."

"It was just several bastard array masters, criticizing horizontally and vertically, nitpicking in various ways. Thinking about it now, I hate it..."

Master Gu's heart filled with anger. Then he saw Mo Hua's strange expression, realized he had lost his composure, and then said with some apology:

"Sorry, young master, I wasn't talking about you..."

Mo Hua was a little speechless and could only nod silently.

Seeing that it was getting late, he couldn't delay.

Mo Hua then asked about the main matter.

Including the relationship between spiritual tools used as array mediums and other spiritual tools.

What are the differences between array mediums?

What arrays are suitable for what different array mediums?

And so on...

Master Gu saw that Mo Hua was asking such "professional" questions, and couldn't help but look at Mo Hua with new eyes. Therefore, he explained more carefully, so as not to lose face.

First, the relationship between arrays and spiritual tools.

"Although arrays, elixirs, tools, and talismans are the four major categories of cultivation, they are not completely independent or clearly divided..."

"As cultivation develops, different cultivation industries fuse, evolve, and develop..."

"Among them, arrays are extremely important..."

Master Gu sighed, "Although I scold those array masters as 'dog array masters' who look down on people with dog eyes, I also have to admit that arrays are indeed the most deeply integrated with various industries and have the greatest influence..."

"Take refining tools as an example..."

"Refining tool furnaces need to use arrays, there's no need to say that."

"Most of the spiritual tools refined by refining tool masters also contain arrays."

"It's just that different spiritual tools use different arrays and have different functions..."

"Spiritual tools used by body cultivators, their inherent arrays are meant to reinforce the spiritual tools, maintain their hardness or sharpness, in order to engage in close combat and kill..."

"For example, wound-breaking knives, sharp gold knives, etc..."

"Occasionally, 'attribute spirit arrays' are also added, used for attribute restraint. For example, flame knives, cold ice knives..."

"Spiritual tools used by spirit cultivators, the arrays inside are mostly some arrays similar to 'spells'..."

"Fighting with people is equivalent to learning an extra spell."

"But this kind of spiritual tool array can only be urged by the cultivator's spiritual power and cannot be activated by spirit stones..."

"Moreover, because the arrays are carved inside the spiritual tools, they are quite limited, so the power of the arrays is also greatly weakened..."

"And the 'array medium' type of spiritual tools can completely utilize the power of the arrays!"

Master Gu said in a low voice, then continued:

"This type of spiritual tool looks like a spiritual tool on the surface, but its fundamental existence is for 'arrays' as an 'array medium'."

"It has the highest degree of fit with array patterns."

"It can also stimulate the power of arrays completely, without loss or limitation..."

"It's just that array mediums depend too much on arrays and also too much on array masters."

"Different array masters and different arrays have extremely large deviations in details, and array mediums are also difficult to have a fixed 'form', so it's difficult to mass-produce them, the risk is relatively large, and the prospects are not guaranteed..."

"And refining 'array mediums', in essence, is hard to be considered 'spiritual tools', so there are relatively few refining tool masters willing to research these..."

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

"Different types of arrays use different array mediums."

"Like array flags, they are generally used for purposes such as scouting, patrolling, killing dao soldiers, or navigating ships..."

"Array disks have a wide range of applications. Basically, from large to small, various arrays, if you are not sure what 'array medium' to use, drawing an array disk is always not wrong..."

"There are also some array bases..."

Master Gu spoke tirelessly, explaining to Mo Hua in great detail.

Mo Hua listened seriously and remembered carefully.

During this time, the disciple named "Da Chuan" came up to pour tea and then silently retreated.

After Master Gu finished speaking, he suddenly thought of a problem:

"Young master, what are you asking about array mediums for? Do you want to learn refining tools?"

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

"Oh right," Master Gu looked at Mo Hua's small body that couldn't lift a hammer, nodded, "Then you are..."

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

Master Gu raised his eyebrows and said in surprise: "You are actually an array master? No wonder..."

You...

Array master?!

Master Gu's heart trembled, and cold sweat involuntarily broke out on his back.

Had he just, in front of an array master, said so many bad things about array masters?

Master Gu's mouth twitched.

Mo Hua's expression was as usual.

Master Gu involuntarily coughed guiltily and softly emphasized again:

"Young master, I just now... really wasn't talking about you..."

"Master Gu, it's fine." Mo Hua said very magnanimously.

Master Gu saw that Mo Hua really didn't mind and then relaxed again.

Although he didn't know the exact identity of this young master, being able to carry the seal letters of both the Shangguan family and the Gu family showed that he had a strong background and could not be offended.

Master Gu couldn't help but scrutinize Mo Hua several more times.

Mo Hua involuntarily asked: "Do I not look like an array master?"

Master Gu shook his head, "Not like..."

Mo Hua was curious, "Where do I not look like one?"

Master Gu considered and said: "General array masters are not so young, and their tempers are generally relatively bad, they like to look up at the sky, and are more arrogant, or a little arrogant..."

He had never seen a young array master who was small, tolerant, good-looking, and had a cute temper.

Truly rare...

Mo Hua saw that Master Gu was praising him, and that little unhappiness he had just now didn't matter anymore.

Master Gu thought for a moment, then cupped his hands and sincerely said:

"This time it was my fault, my words were offensive, please don't blame me, young master..."

"If young master doesn't dislike it, I'll invite you to a wine house in the city to apologize..."

Mo Hua smiled.

This Master Gu is quite sincere.

But his time was limited, and he didn't have time.

Mo Hua then said: "Thank you, Master Gu, but the sect's ten-day break is limited, I want to go back to cultivate. If I have time in the future, I will come to ask Master Gu for some questions, and please don't be stingy with your teachings."

Master Gu invited him several more times, seeing that Mo Hua's intention to leave was set, he didn't force him, and then said:

"Come again next time, I will certainly entertain you properly!"

"Thank you, Master Gu!"

Mo Hua got up to leave, but when he turned around, he saw the disciple named "Da Chuan" standing in the distance, looking somewhat anxious.

He seemed to have something urgent, but didn't dare to disturb and had been waiting for a long time.

Master Gu also discovered Da Chuan, then called him over and asked: "What's the matter?"

Da Chuan then said: "Master, the furnace is broken again..."

Master Gu frowned and said: "If it's broken, change one. Don't we have many furnaces?"

Da Chuan said bitterly: "The refining tool is halfway through, we can't change it. If we change it, the embryo inside will easily break, and moreover... re-burning the furnace will cost spirit stones again..."

Master Gu asked: "Where is it broken?"

Da Chuan said: "It's the same as before, it's all been used for a long time, the array is old..."

Master Gu's eyebrows furrowed.

Mo Hua saw the situation and said: "I'll go take a look..."

Master Gu had told him a lot of refining tool knowledge, which was a great help to him.

It was a simple matter, and helping him conveniently would also be a return of favor.

It would also be easier to ask Master Gu for help later.

Moreover, he had already seen it when he came.

The refining tool furnaces used inside the refining tool shop were all very old, and the arrays inside were not too profound, they could be drawn with closed eyes.

Master Gu looked at Mo Hua, yet hesitated:

"It's a second-grade mid-level array..."

"It doesn't matter." Mo Hua said, "I also know a little about second-grade mid-level."

Master Gu didn't understand for a moment.

What do you mean by "I also know a little about second-grade mid-level"...

How can a cultivator in the early stage of Foundation Building learn a second-grade mid-level array?

Although he wasn't an array master, he wasn't without common sense.

Mo Hua was still confident and said to Da Chuan beside him: "Take me to see it."

Da Chuan was a little troubled, he looked at Mo Hua, then at Master Gu, not knowing what to do.

Master Gu sighed and nodded:

"Go see."

It was just a second-grade refining tool furnace.

In the worst case, it would just remain broken, no different from now.

When they arrived at the front courtyard and saw the broken refining tool furnace, Master Gu still furrowed his eyebrows.

The furnace had been disassembled, and the arrays on it had faded by more than half, indeed it was an array problem.

But the refining tool furnace had just been disassembled after being roasted by intense fire, the inner wall was still red hot, and a general second-grade array pen couldn't withstand this high temperature.

They could only wait for one or two hours for the refining tool furnace to cool down on its own, otherwise they couldn't draw the array.

"Young master, I think it's better to forget it, this..."

Master Gu said halfway, suddenly stunned.

He saw Mo Hua take out a bottle of spirit ink, and without even using a pen, he hooked his small hand, and the red fire-attribute spirit ink, like a small snake, swam out of the bottle by itself.

Then Mo Hua pointed again.

The spirit ink drew a winding path in the air, and finally swam onto the inner wall of the fiery red refining tool furnace.

Afterwards, Mo Hua's small hand "swished swished" several times, pointing virtually.

Not long after, a sixteen-pattern second-grade melting fire array just prominently appeared on the refining tool furnace.

Moreover, the array patterns were tight and the brushwork was precise, without a single discrepancy.

The surrounding refining tool masters, regardless of age, cultivation level, or experience, were all stunned...

At that moment, they were all a little dazed.

"Is an array master... like this?"

"Are arrays... drawn like this?"

Mo Hua, however, seemed to have done something insignificant. He put away the remaining spirit ink, waved his hand, and said goodbye:

"I'll go first."

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

It wasn't until Mo Hua walked far away that he suddenly woke up.

Master Gu looked at Mo Hua's departing back, frowning and thinking:

"What exactly is the background of this young master..."

"His array skills... although I don't understand them, they are greatly shocking..."

"He also treats people very sincerely and has a background..."

"I wonder if he can..."

Master Gu raised his head and looked at the crowd of refining tool masters and apprentices around him, sighing deeply.

"These people are following me, I always have to give them some motivation..."

"I can't let them rot together with me in this remote and abandoned Gushan City..."

It was already late.

Mo Hua sat alone in the carriage, on the road leaving Gushan City.

He wanted to hurry through the night.

The ten-day break was very short, and he still wanted to see Huangshan Jun, so he had no time to rest.

Anyway, it was night, and he was traveling on the main road, generally there was no danger.

If he encountered danger, with the cover of night, he would be safer instead.

Mo Hua still felt strange about the matter in Gushan City.

It was clearly a third-grade immortal city, why were there so few Gold Cores? And why did it look so desolate?

But this trip was hasty, and he didn't have time to ask in detail, so he would do so when he had a chance next time.

It was still important to hurry.

So Mo Hua took a detour along the main road, driving towards the withered mountain and broken temple where Huangshan Jun was located.

The night was deep, and the mountains were hazy.

It looked dangerous, but the road was quiet.

He expected to reach the withered mountain in another hour and see Huangshan Jun.

But when he passed through an immortal city, Mo Hua's heart suddenly jumped.

He always felt that something seemed to have happened nearby...

(End of this chapter)