Chapter 191: Chapter 191: Invitation (Fifth Update)_1

“`

Master Chen gently tapped the table, “Before eating, first thank the person who provided the food.”

The artifact refining disciples said in unison, “Thank you, Brother Mo!”

Mo Hua also smiled and waved his hand, “No thanks, no thanks!”

Master Chen nodded, “Line up, don’t rush.”

Mo Hua brought quite a lot of beef. Practically everyone could get some. Although it wasn’t enough to fill them up, it was enough to stave off hunger and satisfy a craving.

The artifact refining disciples queued up and each took their share of meat, then began devouring it hungrily.

Master Chen also tasted the meat and took a sip of wine, immediately his expression became pleased, and he started to beam with joy.

As the strong liquor went down his throat, spicy and refreshing, Master Chen felt completely satisfied and said,

“Now, tell me what you wanted to see me for.”

“It’s just to treat you to some meat and drinks.”

Master Chen said, “If you won’t tell, let’s consider it a free meal and drink.”

Mo Hua chuckled, “There is a little matter.”

Master Chen raised an eyebrow and laughed, “You’ve specially brought meat and wine as a bribe, I suspect it’s no small matter. Let’s hear it.”

Mo Hua got straight to the point, “Elder Yu has set up a new refinery shop, a large one. Have you considered going over there?”

Master Chen asked with a puzzled look, “Are you close with Elder Yu too, speaking for him?”

“Very close,” Mo Hua nodded.

Master Chen’s eyelid twitched. Mo, at such a young age, sure had some wild connections—familiar even with an elder at the Foundation Establishment Stage.

On normal days, he dedicated himself to artifact refining and rarely asked about external affairs, only hearing bits and pieces from others’ conversations; he didn’t know how Mo had become so familiar with Elder Yu…

Master Chen felt a bit baffled and asked further, “That refinery shop, does it have anything to do with you?”

“All the formations inside, I drew them!”

Mo Hua patted his chest, speaking with a hint of pride.

Master Chen was taken aback.

He knew Mo was good at drawing formations, but he didn’t realize he was good enough to have drawn all the formations in such a large refinery shop.

That was truly remarkable.

Master Chen thought for a moment, then stated bluntly, “Alright, I agree to your request.”

Mo Hua was momentarily stunned, “Huh? Why did you agree so quickly?”

He had prepared a whole load of arguments, yet before he could even start, Master Chen had already agreed…

Master Chen said with a smile, “I’m not familiar with Elder Yu, so naturally, I’m reluctant to go there. My own refinery shop may be a bit rundown and business might be slow, but it’s enough to make ends meet. It supports me and these disciples, and I’ve also taught them a trade.”

“But since you’re the one asking, that changes things. Not to mention anything else, just the fact that you’ve drawn so many formations for us without asking for spirit stones is a huge favor. I may not have much of a relationship with Elder Yu, but I do trust you deeply.”

These words from Master Chen made Mo Hua feel somewhat embarrassed.

Seeing how agreeable Master Chen was, Mo decided to push his luck, “Do you know any other artifact refiners, could you get them to go as well?”

Master Chen was slightly taken aback, then laughed, “You really don’t beat around the bush…”

Mo chuckled, “We’re so familiar, why be polite?”

Master Chen also laughed, “It’s fine for me to go, but asking other artifact refiners is a different matter.”

“What’s the difference?”

“I need to have a reason to convince them, otherwise, they’re not going to abandon their own business to go refine artifacts for Elder Yu.”

“There are plenty of reasons!”

“`

Mo Hua’s eyes lit up, as he was just worrying that no one would listen to his carefully prepared arguments, and now an opportunity to speak had arisen.

“On the surface, this Refinery Shop is owned by Elder Yu, but in reality, it belongs to all Monster Hunters and possibly to every Loose Cultivator in Tongxian City.”

“As long as everyone contributes to the work inside, and the Refinery Shop turns a profit, the Spirit Stone proceeds will be distributed according to each individual’s contribution.”

Master Chen was startled, “Is that really true?”

Although Master Chen was a Loose Cultivator of Tongxian City and made his living by Artifact Refining, he had never ventured into Big Black Mountain to hunt Monster Beasts. Although he also dealt with Monster Hunters on a regular basis, it was mostly related to transactions involving Spiritual Artifacts, and he didn’t know much about the internal affairs of Monster Hunters.

This was the first time he had heard about such a distribution of Spirit Stones.

Master Chen had initially thought that after the Monster Hunters had seized the Spiritual mines, Elder Yu, with his Foundation Establishment Cultivation, would take the lion’s share, even if he didn’t take everything, and the same would likely apply to the establishment of the Refinery Shop.

Now it seemed that the seemingly frugal Elder Yu had a much larger vision than he had imagined.

Unconsciously, Master Chen nodded his head in agreement.

Mo Hua went on to say, “Once you join the Refinery Shop, not to mention other benefits, you’ll at least have enough to eat for three meals a day. Although it might not be gourmet food, you’ll definitely be full, and Brother Dazhu and the others won’t have to starve anymore.”

These words moved Master Chen a bit.

He was usually strict, but he cared for his Disciples. Seeing his Disciples go hungry hurt him as their master.

If he could ensure these kids had more to eat, then all his efforts would be worth it.

Master Chen agreed, “Alright, I’ll talk to them, but I can’t guarantee that they will agree.”

“Mm,” Mo Hua nodded. “I haven’t finished yet, there’s one more thing.”

Master Chen was taken aback, “You haven’t finished? What else do you want to say?”

Mo Hua didn’t rush to answer; instead, he sneaked a glance at Master Chen’s Refining Furnace and quietly asked:

“Master Chen, don’t you think the fire in this Refining Furnace is a bit small?”

This question felt eerily familiar.

Frowning, Master Chen thought for a moment and suddenly became alert, “Are you coveting my Artifact Furnace again?”

“No, no,” Mo Hua quickly denied.

Master Chen didn’t believe him; he firmly said, “The fire in this Refining Furnace is small, but it’s sufficient. Don’t even think about dismantling it!”

“No, of course not.”

Master Chen still looked very skeptical.

Mo Hua said, “I really won’t dismantle it, but don’t you want to change it for another Furnace?”

“Change it for another one?”

“Yes, change it for a larger one, with stronger firepower and higher quality!”

Larger, stronger firepower, higher quality?

Master Chen’s brow furrowed, then he became somewhat shocked, “Are you talking about… a First-grade Refining Furnace?”

Mo Hua nodded, “Not just a First-grade Refining Furnace, but also add a First-grade Formation Method inside it, which will take the furnace’s firepower to the next level…”

A First-grade Refining Furnace with a First-grade Formation Method.

Just thinking about it made Master Chen’s heart race with anticipation.

In his life, he had no other wish but to have a First-grade Refining Furnace—even if he couldn’t own it, just using one to refine a few Spiritual Artifacts would satisfy him.

But a First-grade Refining Furnace is incredibly expensive. The materials and construction costs require a large number of Spirit Stones, an amount far beyond what he could afford.

If Elder Yu could really procure a First-grade Refining Furnace, there was no way he could refuse, let alone one with a First-grade Formation Method drawn by Mo Hua…

Master Chen thought it over carefully, and all of a sudden, he snapped back to reality and was startled, exclaiming,

“A First-grade Formation Method? You can draw a First-grade Formation now?!”