"The limit of spiritual awareness..."
This wasn't the first time Mo Hua had heard this term, but he didn't understand what the limit of spiritual awareness was, nor how to break through it.
Mo Hua, puzzled, asked quietly, "The limit of spiritual awareness... how do I break through it?"
Mr. Zhuang silently looked at him.
Mo Hua came to his senses, scratched his head, and smiled sheepishly, "Sir, I am being too ambitious again."
Mr. Zhuang raised an eyebrow and chuckled, "Knowing more is a good thing, but don't spend too much time on these matters. Your priority should still be learning more composite arrays. After all, you are already at the sixth layer of Qi cultivation."
So what if he's at the sixth layer of Qi cultivation?
Mo Hua frowned, suddenly remembering that he was at the sixth layer of Qi cultivation. Breaking through meant reaching the seventh layer.
Going from the sixth to the seventh layer of Qi cultivation would be a breakthrough from mid-stage to late-stage Qi cultivation, representing a significant advancement. This also meant there would be a bottleneck in his cultivation!
If he couldn't solve these Riddle Arrays, he wouldn't be able to break through, meaning he would remain a sixth-layer Qi cultivator for life.
Mo Hua felt a shiver in his heart.
Yes, the immediate task was still to learn more arrays, practice more arrays, and use more arrays to find a way to solve the Riddle Arrays of the Heavenly Proliferation Technique. Otherwise, if his cultivation couldn't advance, everything else was pointless.
After bidding farewell to Mr. Zhuang, Mo Hua began planning his array studies.
First, he would use the architectural arrays of the artifact crafting shop to broaden the application range of arrays and consolidate some basic composite arrays, such as the First-Grade Earth-Wood Composite Array.
Then, using the artifact crafting furnace and the pill furnace, he would learn and apply more complex composite arrays, such as those including the First-Grade Magma Array.
The array hubs of these arrays would not only connect single arrays but also control and suppress the spiritual power within the array.
After spending two days referencing the array diagrams provided by Mr. Zhuang, Mo Hua used the architectural plans of the artifact crafting shop as a base to plan the shop's architectural array diagram.
Mo Hua presented the architectural array diagram to Elder Yu.
Elder Yu took one look and felt his scalp tingle.
The densely packed arrays were too complex for Elder Yu to understand, causing his head to spin. Not understanding arrays, he felt like he was reading a celestial book and could only wave his hand, saying, "Do as you see fit, there should be no problem."
Seeing Elder Yu's agreement, Mo Hua nodded.
Elder Yu secretly observed Mo Hua, glancing left and right, unable to help but mutter inwardly:
"I don't know how Mo Hua's brain works, managing to remember and draw such complex arrays..."
Elder Yu shook his head.
A few days later, Elder Yu invited the Director of the Dao Court for a few drinks, negotiated with other officials, and spent a significant amount of spirit stones to purchase a large piece of wasteland in the southern part of Tongxian City, along with some uninhabited old houses nearby.
This piece of wasteland was designated for the artifact crafting and pill crafting shops, chosen as the most suitable and affordable location after discussions.
With the location selected, construction could begin.
Building houses in the cultivation world required craftsmen, skilled in earth and wood construction, a branch of artifact crafting that gradually separated as the cultivation world developed.
There were few craftsmen in Tongxian City, so Elder Yu had to hire a batch of craftsmen from nearby immortal cities.
The leading craftsman among them was Master Ban, an old acquaintance of Elder Yu, renowned for his skills in several nearby immortal cities.
Elder Yu went to an inn in Tongxian City and handed the architectural array diagram to an elderly man with dark skin and a slightly stooped figure, similar in age to him.
"Master Ban, the array diagram is ready. You can start the work."
The elderly man, called Master Ban, took the array diagram, glanced at it, and furrowed his brows tightly. "Such a complex array... which array masters are you planning to hire to draw it?"
Elder Yu replied, "You'll find out when the time comes."
Master Ban was still uneasy, "This array is too difficult, with too many patterns. If we can't finish it or are short-handed, the slow progress will greatly affect the schedule."
Elder Yu, understanding his concerns, said, "Don't worry. The progress won't be delayed, and your final payment won't be affected."
With Elder Yu's assurance, Master Ban breathed a sigh of relief, though he still felt somewhat uneasy.
Such a multitude of arrays, appearing quite complex, where would the array masters come from to draw them?
Most array masters in Tongxian City had good relations with the Qian family, who held a grudge against him and would likely refuse to help the demon hunters.
Hiring from outside? That would be a significant expenditure of spirit stones. Although Elder Yu had recently obtained a large sum of spirit stones, he couldn't afford to squander them...
Master Ban, puzzled, soon dismissed the thoughts, thinking:
"Why should I worry about that? As long as he pays the final amount on time, it's fine."
After all, in these times, it was fortunate for craftsmen to get paid on time without being owed spirit stones. He had many workers to feed.
Thinking this, he envied Elder Yu.
It was said that Elder Yu, leading the demon hunters, had snatched a spirit mine from the Qian family.
The Qian family, known for taking from others, was robbed for the first time, losing an entire spirit mine. Truly remarkable.
Master Ban clicked his tongue in wonder.
Having a long-standing friendship with Elder Yu, this time he benefited from Elder Yu's success, securing such a significant construction project.
Completing both the artifact crafting and pill crafting shops would ensure their livelihood for two years, allowing them to take on small jobs to support their families afterward.
No longer would they worry about projects, stressed and exhausted.
Feeling a bit relieved, Master Ban urged his apprentices to start work, instructing them to be meticulous and diligent.
Elder Yu had given them this opportunity, and they had to do their best to complete the work thoroughly, not letting Elder Yu down and gaining others' respect.
Thus, the construction of the artifact crafting shop began in full swing.
Elder Yu had already purchased the building materials, which were transported in batches to the wasteland in the city's south.
The craftsmen began step-by-step, leveling the ground, laying the foundation, and pre-processing various materials.
Master Ban was busier than ever, overseeing every detail of the project, wishing he could be in multiple places at once.
In addition to the craftsmen, some demon hunters came to help. Though they were not builders and lacked the necessary skills, they were physically strong and could assist in moving bricks, lifting timber, and digging foundations.
With more hands, the construction progressed faster.
While appreciative of the help, Master Ban remained vigilant.
With more people, the site could become chaotic, and unrelated individuals might sneak in.
With years of experience, he knew some people came out of curiosity, some to steal, and others with malicious intent.
Given Elder Yu's conflict with the Qian family, it was possible the Qian family might send someone to sabotage the project.
Master Ban was on high alert, watching the coming and going cultivators, looking for unfamiliar faces.
Then he saw a small cultivator at the newly laid foundation, lying on the ground, curiously peering around.