With a group of array masters and a group of apprentices, they methodically flipped through Formation Books, verified Formation Diagrams, checked Formation Patterns, and debated formation principles, researching for more than half a day in this way.
Mo Hua, on the other hand, sat to one side, staring at the Formation Diagram in a daze, pondering his own matters in his heart.
Until the sun set, the sky gradually darkened.
Mo Hua raised his head, glanced at the sky, then stood up, dipped a brush into some Fire Stone ink, and with a few simple strokes inside the Refining Furnace, he turned around and said to the refinery shop’s master:
"It’s ready; give it a try."
The refinery shop’s master was startled, nodded, and then instructed, "Light it."
The Refining Furnace was reassembled, Spirit Stones were loaded inside, and someone began to ignite the furnace with Fire Spells as a primer.
A flash of red light, and the Refining Furnace roared and began operating.
The refinery shop’s master was overjoyed and said to Mo Hua, "This young gentleman is indeed capable, just a few simple strokes, and the furnace is repaired."
Mo Hua nonchalantly boasted, "Although it seems like just a few simple strokes, I have actually pondered deeply about them for a good half day..."
Although the refinery shop’s master didn’t understand, he was impressed and held even more respect for Mo Hua.
Sure enough, success is not so easy to come by.
"Let’s go," Mo Hua said to Elder Ji, then turned to leave, but was suddenly stopped by someone.
"Wait!"
Mo Hua turned back to see a tall and slender middle-aged man among the group of defeated Guest Elder array masters, bowing in respect to him and praising:
"As expected of Young Master Mo, I’ve long admired your name."
Mo Hua was puzzled, "And you are..."
The middle-aged man smiled, "I am Zhao, an elder of the Canglang Sect."
"Greetings, Elder Zhao," Mo Hua replied politely.
Elder Zhao returned the gesture, "I hope in the future we can often exchange knowledge on formations with Young Master Mo."
Mo Hua nodded, "Alright."
"Then I won’t disturb Young Master Mo any longer," Elder Zhao said.
Mo Hua cupped his hands, "Farewell."
Then Elder Ji led Mo Hua out of the refinery shop.
However, throughout the process, he didn’t speak with Elder Zhao; his gaze was restrained and even carried a trace of dread, as if Elder Zhao’s identity was not ordinary.
Before leaving, Mo Hua glanced back at Elder Zhao, sensing the Divine Sense aura on him, and showed a pensive expression.
...
In the following days, whenever Elder Ji had something to do, he would seek Mo Hua’s help.
He seemed to want to "cook the rice," letting Mo Hua get used to working for the Canglang Sect first, then giving Mo Hua an official title later.
Mo Hua did not refuse such requests.
Basically, as long as Elder Ji sought Mo Hua, Mo Hua, even though appearing slow and reluctant, resolved issues within a day.
Elder Ji also grew more respectful of Mo Hua.
In the cultivation world, all trades are highly reliant on formations.
And an array master with real skills and knowledge is an incredibly scarce talent, no matter where.
Thus, Mo Hua’s status in the Canglang Sect rose due to his formation skills.
However, what he truly wished to accomplish did not progress at all.
The rules of the Canglang Sect were strict and unyielding; wherever he went, Elder Ji followed. For some time, Mo Hua couldn’t find any breakthrough.
Mo Hua was somewhat worried.
...
Meanwhile, the Sect Leader of the Canglang Sect was equally anxious.
His nephew and Elder Sun had been missing for more than half a month without any news, and it was highly likely they were truly dead.
If they had simply died, it would be one thing, but if not...
Filled with anger, the Canglang Sect Leader was also deeply uneasy.
A terrifying sense of having one’s head on the chopping block made him restless.
That night, with a dark sky and high winds,
The Canglang Sect Leader, alone, exceptionally entered the forbidden area of the Canglang Sect, meeting a figure wrapped entirely in a black robe in an underground secret chamber.
He knelt on the ground, speaking in a low and devout voice:
"Gentleman, please divine for me."
"Calculate who exactly killed my nephew..."
"Otherwise, I find it hard to find peace..."