Chapter 205: Pill Jade_1
The Alchemy Furnace that was produced was quite large but still slightly smaller than the large Artifact Furnace in the courtyard. It sported a more primitive appearance, with more elegant cloud patterns, and its structure seemed a bit more complex.
The formation within the Alchemy Furnace was similar to that of the Artifact Furnace, yet there were differences.
What they had in common was the need for a Melting Fire Formation as a basis for supplying fire. The difference was that Artifact Refining relied more on the power of the flames, while Alchemy emphasized control over the heat and the harmonization of Spiritual Energy attributes.
Mo Hua intended to draw on the Alchemy Furnace a type of Compound Formation called the First-grade Firewood Twin Cultivation Compound Formation.
This Compound Formation also included two First-grade Formation Methods, one being the First-grade Melting Fire Formation and the other the First-grade Wood Spirit Formation. In addition, there were other functional formations like the Spirit Gathering Array and the Cold Air Formation.
The Formation Pivot of this Compound Formation not only had the effect of initiating and controlling the spirit but also the function of attribute harmonization.
In every aspect, whether it was the requirement for strength of Divine Sense, the difficulty of Formation Painting, or the complexity of compatibility with the Alchemy Furnace, this setup was a notch higher than the previous Melting Fire and Controlling Spirit Compound Formation.
But it was still within the range that Mo Hua could control.
Especially after having crafted the Artifact Furnace previously, Mo Hua was already familiar with and had applied the First-grade Melting Fire and Controlling Spirit Compound Formation; learning this similar type of more advanced Compound Formation now was like treading on familiar ground.
The only difficulties were the strength of the Divine Sense and the proficiency with the Compound Formation.
Both could be resolved with time.
Having already planned ahead, Mo Hua began practicing the Compound Formation for the Alchemy Furnace as soon as he finished drawing the Melting Fire Compound Formation on the Artifact Furnace.
After a few more days of practice, Mo Hua had finally mastered the drawing technique of the First-grade Firewood Twin Cultivation Compound Formation and began to start Drawing Formation.
In the courtyard of the Alchemist’s Business in Southern City, the large Alchemy Furnace was dismantled into pieces and laid flat on the ground according to their categories.
Mo Hua squatted beside the inner furnace, furrowing his brows as he drew the Formation.
The start was not very smooth; the Formation Pivot had been drawn several times with errors, and Mo Hua could only erase and paint patiently to continue.
Old Mr. Feng came around, and seeing that Mo Hua was drawing the Formation with great concentration, he did not disturb him but silently watched from the side.
Mo Hua appeared focused, his eyes sparkling with intelligence as they shone brightly while he drew the Formation.
The Formation under his brush was both complex and beautiful, clearly showing a structure and pattern.
Old Mr. Feng gradually became fascinated as he watched.
He sighed inwardly, no matter how many times he saw it, it was always somewhat unbelievable.
The child who was weak when he was born, who had clear eyes and an innocent smile from a young age. He had watched him grow up, and now, at just over ten years old, he was able to draw a First-grade Formation Method.
A First-grade Formation Method…
Many an old Formation Master, with hair turned white, would have to ponder deeply and exhaust their mind and spirit to draw a single First-grade Formation Method. After completion, they would look pale, sweating profusely.
Yet, when Mo Hua drew these First-grade Formation Methods, he appeared to do it with ease, and even if he became tired, after a brief rest in meditation, he would spring back full of vigor.
If Old Mr. Feng hadn’t watched Mo Hua grow up from a young age, he would almost suspect that Mo had been possessed by some old demon…
Tired from drawing, Mo Hua exhaled, sat down on the ground with a plop, and rubbed his sore little arms.
Old Mr. Feng then came forward, massaging several acupoints for him and circulating a gentle Spiritual Power through Mo Hua’s Blood Qi.
Bathed in this gentle breeze, Mo Hua felt much more comfortable all over.
“Thank you, Grandpa Feng!” Mo Hua said with a smile, expressing his gratitude.
“I should be the one thanking you,” replied Old Mr. Feng as he brushed the dust off the ground and sat beside Mo Hua, speaking kindly:
“Without you, I might never have been able to use such a pill furnace in my life.”
“I’ll make an even better one for you in the future,” Mo Hua promised confidently.
Old Mr. Feng laughed softly, “This one is good enough.”
As he spoke, Old Mr. Feng took out a jade pendant and handed it to Mo Hua, “This is for you.”
The jade pendant was a pale white color, with faint bluish-green patterns within, the specific type of jade was unknown, and it possessed no spiritual power. The design appeared simple, the carving ordinary, yet the moment one’s gaze touched it, one felt a peaceful aura and a calming of the mind.
“What kind of jade is this?”
“This is Pill Jade,” Old Mr. Feng said.
Old Mr. Feng flipped the pendant over, and Mo Hua saw that indeed, engraved with an iron hook and silver strokes, was the character “Pill.”
“Alchemists generally carry a piece of Pill Jade with them, nurtured over the years with Wood-type spiritual power. Over time, the jade becomes like a spiritual artifact, bringing tranquility to the user’s aura and serenity to the mind, untainted by stray thoughts.”
“This piece of Pill Jade was given to me by my master many years ago. All these years, through diagnosing pulses, treating illnesses, and making pills to save lives, I have always carried it with me. Now that it serves me no use, I give it to you,” Old Mr. Feng said.
Mo Hua shook his head, “I cannot accept something so precious.”
Yet Old Mr. Feng personally hung the Pill Jade around Mo Hua’s neck, “A gift from an elder is not to be refused.”
“But…” Mo Hua felt somewhat undeserving, “I am not an alchemist, why give it to me?”
Old Mr. Feng pondered for a moment before saying, “An alchemist saves lives but can’t save many; a Formation Master doesn’t save lives but can save many.”
Mo Hua was startled, then acknowledged the point with a nod, as if he understood.
Old Mr. Feng looked at Mo Hua with a hopeful expression:
“There’s also a belief that an alchemist accumulates virtue through healing and saving lives, and the Pill Jade they carry bears this virtue. I give you this Pill Jade in hopes that it will protect you from harm and ensure your safety as you grow.”
Mo Hua was taken aback and worriedly said, “But if you give the jade to me, what will you do?”
Old Mr. Feng smiled, “The talk of virtue is elusive, it’s simply a matter of finding peace of mind. All these years I’ve practiced alchemy and medicine not because I believe in these things.”
Mo Hua asked, “But what if the belief in virtue is true?”
Old Mr. Feng’s smile grew even kinder, “If the belief in virtue is true, and the Pill Jade really can turn misfortune into fortune for you, then perhaps this is a greater act of virtue than all my years of healing and saving lives.”
Feeling a little embarrassed, Mo Hua could only express his unfeigned gratitude, “Thank you, Grandpa Feng!”
The icy coolness of the Pill Jade around his neck made Mo Hua feel a mental tranquility and a warmth in his heart.
Whether it was the effect of the Pill Jade or not, Mo Hua found his state of mind more peaceful when drawing formations, his brushstrokes more fluid and confident.
Two days later, Mo Hua finished drawing the First-grade Firewood Twin Cultivation Compound Formation.
Mo Hua asked Old Mr. Feng to come over to start the furnace, and accompanying him were other alchemists as well.
These alchemists were invited by Old Mr. Feng to join the Alchemist’s Business, collaborating to study the Alchemy Dao and concoct pills.
Old Mr. Feng placed Spirit Stones, lit the fire, and the bright red flames instantly ignited.
Despite anticipation, Old Mr. Feng was momentarily stunned when he truly saw such pure flames.
This was a fire that transcended the spiritual power of the ordinary Qi Refinement Realm.
The other alchemists, witnessing this, were visibly shaken and then overwhelmed with excitement.
Old Mr. Feng also tried using the harmonization of the Pill Furnace’s firewood spiritual power to refine a furnace of pills.
The pills were the common Blood Qi Pills, which can stop bleeding and restore energy, a staple for cultivators at home or when traveling and indispensable for monster hunting.
Although the pills were ordinary, the quality of the finished product was exceptional; the purity of the flames had enhanced the efficacy by more than ten percent.
Old Mr. Feng was very satisfied and couldn’t help but glance at Mo Hua beside him, nodding approvingly.