Chen's Smithy.
Master Chen and his apprentices were swinging iron hammers with fiery enthusiasm. The artifact blanks, once hammered, were placed into the Artifact Refining Furnace to be tempered. Once they had been heated red-hot, they were taken out and hammered again.
Master Chen, who always lectured his apprentices to stay wholly focused when refining artifacts, was somewhat absentminded at the moment. Little Mo Hua beside them was watching them with bright, intent eyes.
Early that morning, Mo Hua had strolled over and said he wanted to observe the artifact-refining process.
Master Chen found it difficult to refuse. Mo Hua had done him a favor before, and they had also made quite a sizable deal, so he agreed.
Mo Hua watched them for half the day—though he was mainly watching the Artifact Refining Furnace. The eager look in his eyes made it seem as though he wanted to dismantle the furnace and see what was inside.
What was inside an Artifact Refining Furnace? Naturally, an Array Technique.
Master Chen could not figure out what Mo Hua was plotting in that little head of his, and he felt somewhat uneasy. During a break, he finally could not help asking, "Ahem, Mo Hua, is there something you need?"
Mo Hua quietly said, "Master Chen, don't you think the fire in this Artifact Refining Furnace is a little too weak?"
Master Chen glanced at the furnace. "Well... it is indeed a little weaker than before..."
"Do you know why?"
"Perhaps... because of the Array Technique..."
"Mm, as expected of Master Chen. Your eye is truly seasoned!" Mo Hua flattered him without a shred of technical skill, then lowered his voice again. "Don't you want the fire to be a little stronger?"
"Stronger?"
"Yes, stronger!"
Master Chen's brow twitched wildly. "You're not thinking of