Master Gu let out a sigh of relief, thinking it was fine as long as nothing happened.
This Fan Datou truly has some insight, recognizing the ’big thigh’ like Young Master Mo, who keeps such a low profile...
The two chatted some more, then after drinking and dining to their heart’s content, Mo Hua returned to the Taixu Gate. Before leaving, he said: "Master Gu, in three days it’s the ten-day break, then I’ll visit Solitary Mountain City."
Master Gu was stunned upon hearing this, then he rejoiced, quickly saying:
"Rest assured, Young Master, I will make arrangements and personally come to greet you."
Mo Hua smiled and said: "Thank you, Master Gu."
...
Three days later, Mo Hua took a carriage from the Gu family, personally escorted by Master Gu, and together they headed for Solitary Mountain City.
Halfway through the journey, Mo Hua was deep in thought, suddenly feeling something, he looked up.
"Mountain Lord..."
Mo Hua, driven by a sudden impulse, thought of visiting Lord Yellow Mountain.
After all, it seemed he hadn’t seen this old friend for a long time, and he wondered how he was doing, if he still drank rainwater and ate stale buns.
Yet, thinking again, Master Gu was on the road, and the journey to Solitary Mountain City was rather far; visiting the Mountain Lord along the way would take up too much time.
"Next time... next time I’ll definitely visit Lord Yellow Mountain."
Mo Hua thought silently to himself.
A mountain wind blew through Kushan, the forests rustled, and the deep-seated Mountain God Temple seemed to tremble slightly.
...
Later, Master Gu drove the carriage while Mo Hua rested his eyes inside.
The carriage sped swiftly, and after more than half a day, they finally arrived at Solitary Mountain City.
Mo Hua lifted the curtain, poked his head out, and looked around, taking in the scene of Solitary Mountain City.
The mountain city was still rather desolate, the stones were bare, vegetation withered, the sky dim and grey, and all around were mostly abandoned mines, with few people in sight.
Being accustomed to the prosperity of the Qian Learning State Boundary and its surrounding Immortal Cities, seeing Solitary Mountain City gave one a strong sense of disconnection.
It might even create the illusion that these people might not be living in the same world.
But what Master Gu said was not wrong.
Compared to before, Solitary Mountain City had improved quite a bit; at least the cultivators coming and going were no longer as dejected and worried, but rather seemed a bit more spirited.
The carriage slowly made its way along the rugged stone streets, moving forward, entering a large Refinery Shop located in the southeastern corner of Solitary Mountain City. 𝘳ÁＮỌ𝐁ÊȘ
Above the entrance of the Refinery Shop, a plaque hung, with the words "Gu Family Refinery Shop" elegantly inscribed, with a smaller plaque below reading "Solitary Mountain Branch."
Inside the Refinery Shop, it was a scene buzzing with activity.
Compared to before, the changes within the Refinery Shop were nothing short of transformative.
The Refining Furnace was larger, the Melting Fire Formation more complete, with more Artifact Refining Masters and disciples.
The people collaborated, placing one Spiritual Artifact embryo after another into the Refining Furnace for roasting, quenching, and then taking them out for forging.
Amidst the raging fire, sparks flew. Rows of freshly crafted, variously shaped Spiritual Artifacts were neatly arranged in the courtyard.
Both in scale, stoves, manpower, and production, they far exceeded the past.
Mo Hua hadn’t been to Solitary Mountain City for a long time, since setting up the rules and the Formation and Spiritual Artifact standards, he had become a "hands-off manager."
Looking at the scene before him now, Mo Hua couldn’t help but feel somewhat astonished, praising Master Gu:
"Master Gu, your Refinery Shop is getting better and better..."
Receiving the compliment, Master Gu was full of pride, bowing to Mo Hua, saying: "It’s all thanks to Young Master. Without you, where would the Refinery Shop be today."
Mo Hua waved his hand modestly, saying: "Oh no, I just lent a small hand."
Master Gu then ordered people below to gather a large group of Artifact Refining Disciples, instructing: "Come, greet Young Master Mo."
"Greetings, Young Master Mo!"
A group of muscular, sweat-dripping Artifact Refining Disciples saluted in unison, saying:
"We’ve met Young Master Mo!"
"Young Master Mo, your kindness is unforgettable!"
The scene was too grand, making Mo Hua a bit uneasy, quickly saying: "No need for formalities, carry on with your work."
Master Gu then dismissed them and said to Mo Hua, "Young Master, I’ve arranged a banquet for tonight, specially to entertain you. There’s still some time now, shall I show you around?"
Master Gu guessed that Mo Hua had a purpose in coming to Solitary Mountain City.
This purpose, he couldn’t figure out, so he could only do his best to show Mo Hua around.
Mo Hua nodded, "Thank you, Master Gu."
"Please, Young Master." Master Gu then personally led the way in front, taking Mo Hua for a tour around the Refinery Shop.
To outsiders, these were all secrets.
But Mo Hua was different; if he wished to see, Master Gu would naturally not refuse.
After seeing the Refinery Shop, Master Gu then led Mo Hua outside.
Outside the Refinery Shop, there were also quite a few cultivators gathered in the nearby open space, sitting cross-legged, with bamboo backpacks in front of them, filled with various black, grey, or white ores.
"These are also Loose Cultivators, their cultivation is not high, they can’t refine artifacts, nor do they have any other skills, just strength, only able to carry bamboo baskets, head into the solitary mountains to try their luck, picking leftover ores."
"If they’re lucky, these ores are useful in artifact refining and can be exchanged for a few Broken Spirit Stones to buy some coarse grain and barely fill their stomachs."
"If unlucky, they just go hungry."
"Formerly in Solitary Mountain, there were only a few viable Refinery Shops, and the ores they picked were of poor quality, with no one willing to buy them."
Master Gu’s words carried a hint of melancholy, he sighed and said:
"But now it’s better, our Refinery Shop is growing, requiring a significant amount of ores. Even if the ores they pick are of poor quality, they’ll still fetch a few Broken Spirit Stones, at least they won’t starve."
Mo Hua felt comforted yet complex emotions arose. Turning to look, he found that among the crowd were quite a few children around the age of ten.
They were skinny and dark-skinned, with dirty faces, their arms thin as sticks, carrying bamboo backpacks filled with black-grey ores.
The heavy ores weighed them down, making it hard for them to stand up straight.
And there weren’t just one or two such children, but many.
Mo Hua felt a sting of compassion and a vague sense of unease, asking: "Do these children collect ores alone? Where are their parents?"
Master Gu showed a bitter expression, shaking his head, "This is Solitary Mountain City, most of these children are orphans..."