The Quest for Immortality

The newly forged alchemical furnace was large, but slightly smaller than the grand artifact furnace in the courtyard. Its appearance was more ancient, with elegant cloud patterns and a more intricate design.

The arrays within the alchemical furnace were similar yet different from those in the artifact furnace.

Both required the Molten Fire Array as a base for providing fire, but while artifact crafting depended heavily on the intensity of the fire, alchemy emphasized controlling the heat and harmonizing the spiritual energy attributes.

Mo Hua planned to draw a type of composite array on the alchemical furnace, named the First Grade Fire-Wood Dual Birth Composite Array.

This composite array included two First Grade arrays, one being the First Grade Molten Fire Array, the other the First Grade Wood Spirit Array, along with other functional arrays like the Spirit Gathering Array and the Cold Qi Array.

The array hub of this composite array not only controlled the opening and closing of the spiritual energy but also harmonized the attributes.

The entire composite array required higher spiritual awareness, had a more difficult drawing process, and was more complex in adapting to the alchemical furnace compared to the previous First Grade Molten Fire Spirit Control Composite Array.

However, it was still within Mo Hua’s capabilities.

Especially after casting the artifact furnace, Mo Hua was familiar with and had applied the First Grade Molten Fire Spirit Control Composite Array. Learning this similar advanced composite array was now second nature to him.

The only difficulties were the strength of the spiritual awareness and the proficiency in the composite array.

Both could be overcome with time.

Mo Hua had already planned this, so after finishing the Molten Fire Composite Array on the artifact furnace, he began practicing the composite array for the alchemical furnace.

After a few more days, Mo Hua finally mastered the drawing of the First Grade Fire-Wood Dual Birth Composite Array and began to draw the array.

In the courtyard of the Southern City Alchemy Hall, the large alchemical furnace was dismantled and laid out in sections on the ground.

Mo Hua squatted by the inner furnace, frowning as he drew the array.

At first, it did not go smoothly. He made mistakes several times on the array hub, having to erase and redraw it, but he persevered patiently.

Mr. Feng arrived and, seeing Mo Hua engrossed in his work, did not disturb him, silently observing from the side.

Mo Hua’s expression was focused, his eyes bright and shining as he drew the array, with an intense brilliance in his gaze.

The array under his brush was complex and elegant, appearing very methodical.

Mr. Feng watched intently, finding it hard to believe even after seeing it many times.

That frail child born with clear eyes and an innocent smile, whom he had watched grow up, was now only in his early teens and capable of drawing a First Grade array.

A First Grade array...

Many elderly array masters with gray hair had to concentrate deeply and exhaust their minds to draw a First Grade array, often left pale and drenched in sweat afterward.

Yet Mo Hua seemed to handle these First Grade arrays with ease. Even when tired, he only needed to meditate briefly to regain his energy.

If he had not watched Mo Hua grow up, Mr. Feng might have suspected that Mo Hua was possessed by some ancient spirit...

When Mo Hua grew tired, he exhaled and sat on the ground, rubbing his sore arms.

Mr. Feng approached and massaged a few acupoints on Mo Hua, using gentle spiritual energy to ease his blood flow.

Mo Hua felt as if bathed in a spring breeze, significantly more comfortable.

”Thank you, Grandpa Feng!” Mo Hua thanked him with a smile.

”I should be the one thanking you,” Mr. Feng replied, brushing off the dust and sitting beside Mo Hua, kindly saying, ”Without you, I might never have had the chance to use such an alchemical furnace.”

”I’ll make you an even better one in the future,” Mo Hua declared confidently.

Mr. Feng chuckled, ”This one is already excellent.”

He then took out a jade pendant and handed it to Mo Hua, ”This is for you.”

The jade pendant was pale white with faint greenish-blue spiritual patterns within. It was unclear what kind of jade it was, and it had no spiritual power, appearing simple in design and ordinary in carving. Yet, it exuded a harmonious aura that calmed the mind at a glance.

”What kind of jade is this?”

”This is Alchemical Jade,” Mr. Feng replied.

”Alchemical Jade?”

Mr. Feng turned the jade pendant over, revealing the character ”丹” (alchemy) engraved in a strong, silver hook-like script.

”Alchemists typically carry a piece of Alchemical Jade, nurturing it with wood-element spiritual energy over time. Eventually, the jade becomes like a spiritual tool, bringing peace and clarity to the mind, free from distractions.”

”This piece of Alchemical Jade was a gift from my master. For many years, I have carried it with me, using it to diagnose illnesses and refine elixirs. Now that I no longer need it, I give it to you.”

Mr. Feng explained.

Mo Hua shook his head, ”I can’t accept such a precious item.”

But Mr. Feng placed the jade pendant around Mo Hua’s neck himself, ”A gift from an elder cannot be declined.”

”But...” Mo Hua felt unworthy, ”I’m not even an alchemist. Why give it to me?”

Mr. Feng pondered for a moment and said, ”Alchemists save people, but they cannot save many. Array masters do not save people directly, but they can save many more lives.”

Mo Hua was momentarily stunned, then nodded in understanding.

Mr. Feng looked at Mo Hua with hopeful eyes and said, ”There is another saying: Alchemists accumulate merit through healing and saving lives. This Alchemical Jade carries an alchemist’s merit. By giving it to you, I hope it will protect you from harm and ensure your safety as you grow.”

Mo Hua was startled, concerned, ”But if I take the jade, what about you?”

Mr. Feng smiled, ”Merit is intangible and elusive. It merely brings peace of mind. For many years, I have practiced alchemy and medicine not because I believe in these things.”

Mo Hua said, ”But what if the merit is real?”

Mr. Feng’s smile grew kinder, ”If the merit is real and the jade can indeed protect you, then giving it to you may be the greatest merit I’ve ever achieved.”

Mo Hua felt embarrassed, accepting the jade with gratitude, ”Thank you, Grandpa Feng!”

With the cool Alchemical Jade hanging around his neck, Mo Hua felt peaceful and warm inside.

Whether due to the jade’s influence or not, Mo Hua’s mind was calm and focused, making his array drawing smoother and more fluid.

Two days later, Mo Hua completed the First Grade Fire-Wood Dual Birth Composite Array.

Mo Hua invited Mr. Feng to start the furnace, accompanied by other alchemists.

These alchemists, invited by Mr. Feng, joined the Alchemy Hall to research alchemy and refine elixirs together.

Mr. Feng placed spirit stones and ignited the furnace, causing a brilliant red flame to blaze instantly.

Despite his expectations, Mr. Feng was momentarily taken aback by the purity of the flame.

This was a fire surpassing the ordinary Qi refining stage’s spiritual power.

The other alchemists were even more astonished, soon becoming excited.

Mr. Feng tried using the furnace’s fire-wood spiritual energy harmony to refine a batch of pills.

The pills were common Blood Qi Pills, used to stop bleeding and replenish energy, a staple for cultivators at home or when hunting demons.

Though the pills were ordinary, their quality was exceptional, with the pure flame enhancing their efficacy by over ten percent.

Mr. Feng was very satisfied, looking at Mo Hua with pride and nodding in approval.