Startled Awake

Wu Tao's stall today was at Number 103 in Ding District. To his left was someone selling Spirit Herbs, and to his right was a seller of 'antiques' – actually just a variety of strange odds and ends: jade pieces, stones, beaded strings, books, pottery jars, and so on.

The stall owner wore a tattered, dark blue Daoist robe, a Celestial Master Hat on his head, and held a Fly Whisk in his hand. With a goatee and his fingers posed like a blooming orchid, he put on an air of a master.

This old Daoist even tried to swindle the stall owners on either side of him.

As soon as Wu Tao set up his stall, the old Daoist enthusiastically greeted him, promoting his wares. He claimed the jade pieces were artifacts used by a Golden Core Master from Wuquan Mountain, and the pottery jars were refined from Immortal-Grade Material, capable of swallowing the heavens and containing the earth. He almost managed to fool Wu Tao.

Unfortunately, Wu Tao was poor. No matter how eloquently the old Daoist spoke, he couldn't extract a single Fragmented Spirit Stone from him, only wasting his breath!

This was similar to antique stalls Wu Tao had seen in his past life, passing by overpasses or certain streets. For every ten items, maybe one was real, or even none. Without a discerning eye, don't even think about finding a treasure and getting rich.

What is destined to be yours will come, and what is not, do not force it.

It would be better to turn left and go to the stall next door for fortune-telling and palm reading to get rid of a corn.

While he was watching his stall, a fat man approached the old Daoist's stall. Wu Tao immediately paid attention, wanting to learn the old Daoist's sales tactics to gain experience for selling his own magic robes later.

The fat man picked up a stone. The old Daoist immediately said, "Fellow Daoist, you have a good eye. This is a meteorite. A meteorite that fell from the sky. Look at this scorch mark... This one is also a meteorite, a Jade Meteorite... It's the best material for refining artifacts..."

"Come, Fellow Daoist, please look at this melted shell, it's as thick as a finger. What does that indicate? It indicates it fell from the sky, very, very far away. It might even be an Immortal's Artifact Fragment. Look at this scorch mark... it's naturally formed, almost Dao Rhyme..."

"Fellow Daoist, if you meditate on it daily, perhaps one day you will comprehend an Immortal Technique and Become Immortal on the Spot..."

"I see you are sincerely buying, and you are a connoisseur. This Jade Meteorite, I was originally going to sell it for five hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones. But today, I am feeling pleased, so I will sell it to you for fifty Low-Grade Spirit Stones..."

"Farewell, Fellow Daoist!"

"Damn it, he actually fell for it." Wu Tao watched as the Daoist sent the fat man away, smiling as he put away fifty Low-Grade Spirit Stones. This fat man was truly a big sucker, maybe...

"Fellow Daoist, would you like to buy a magic robe? A First-Grade Level Two Gale Robe, it can increase your speed twofold, an excellent item for escaping danger."

The fat man turned and glanced at Wu Tao, then lifted his outer garment, revealing a magnificent magic robe. He said disdainfully, "My lord here has a First-Grade Advanced magic robe, with defense, speed restrictions... I don't care for your trash robe."

After the fat man finished his disdainful remark, he left. Wu Tao felt stifled and cursed inwardly: What kind of Rich Landlord's Foolish Son are you? No matter how much money you have, you're still a big sucker.

After cursing, Wu Tao turned his head and saw the old Daoist hurriedly packing up his stall. He slung a bundle onto his back and disappeared into the crowd in a flash.

"As expected... a swindler, hitting and running. I can't learn those tactics!" Wu Tao felt he should be honest and upright in his dealings.

While no one was coming to inquire about the magic robes, Wu Tao took out a book to memorize.

The book was titled One Thousand Basic Knowledge of Artifact Refining.

He had inquired a few days ago. To get an Artifact Refiner Certificate, one had to go to the Five Spring Artifact Refining Hall on Fragrant Spring Road for the examination. He had asked for information at the refining hall. There were requirements for the certification. First, one had to memorize the basic artifact refining book, One Thousand Basic Knowledge of Artifact Refining.

Of course, there were other requirements, but focusing on the questions first, Wu Tao estimated that memorizing these thousand pieces of knowledge would take a long time.

He felt like he was back in his previous life, taking the college entrance exam.

This book, One Thousand Basic Knowledge of Artifact Refining, was also bought at the Five Spring Artifact Refining Hall, costing five Low-Grade Spirit Stones.

They really know how to make money.

By Shen Shi, Wu Tao had only sold two Magic Robes. One sold for fourteen Low-Grade Spirit Stones, and the other also sold for fourteen Low-Grade Spirit Stones, bringing in a total of twenty-eight Low-Grade Spirit Stones.

Seeing that it would be difficult to sell any more today, he simply packed up his stall.

After paying taxes, Wu Tao calculated in his heart. He now had thirty-five Low-Grade Spirit Stones and over thirty Fragmented Spirit Stones.

A few days ago, he had gone to the Threefold Magic Pavilion, a shop specializing in selling Cultivation Techniques and spells. He had taken a liking to a Melee Spell that cost three hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones.

If he refined four Magic Robes a week, the profit from one would go towards refining materials, one would cover daily cultivation and miscellaneous expenses, and the remaining two would be saved. This meant he could save over eighty Low-Grade Spirit Stones a month.

Doesn't that mean he could buy that spell in four months?

Mm.

He hadn't miscalculated.

"Life is getting more promising. Hmm, why don't I celebrate tonight and patronize Zhang Li's business?" Wu Tao suddenly had this thought.

"Li, my friend!"

Passing Han Tiezhu's stall, Wu Tao was called over by Han Tiezhu. Looking at the Spirit Rice on Han Tiezhu's stall, he hesitated for a long time before saying, "Uncle Han, weigh me thirty catties of Spirit Rice."

"Coming right up!" Han Tiezhu cheerfully began weighing the Spirit Rice.

"Mingxiu, why isn't she setting up her stall with you today?"

"Ah, she went to the fields with her mother. Besides, the Spirit Planter exam is getting close. She's in the fields during the day and has to review Spirit Planter knowledge at night. Time is really tight. Here, I'll still give you an extra catty, Li, my friend."

"Thank you, Uncle Han. Please tell Mingxiu to stay calm and I wish her success in obtaining her Spirit Planter Certificate."

Wu Tao took the Spirit Rice, said goodbye to Han Tiezhu, and prepared to go home to cook.

Passing by the stall selling Monster Meat, he heard the stall owner shouting loudly, "Freshly caught monster meat! Tier 1 Elementary Demonic Beast meat! Five catties for one Low-Grade Spirit Stone."

"Weigh me ten catties..."

"I want twenty catties."

Many people were buying Monster Meat.

Monster Meat was richer in spiritual energy than Spirit Rice. Hearing the price, Wu Tao's heart itched. In the end, he steeled himself and walked forward.

"Eating Monster Meat is beneficial for cultivation. Besides, now that I have Spirit Stones, I should at least try Monster Meat. Otherwise, wouldn't it be a wasted trip to the cultivation world?"

"Stall owner, give me five catties!"

Wu Tao said to the stall owner. This stall owner selling monster meat was burly and stout, with a big round face and a full beard. His chest was open, revealing thick chest hair. He held a cleaver in his hand, radiating a fierce aura, clearly not someone to be trifled with.

Carrying monster meat in his left hand and spirit rice in his right, Wu Tao returned home with a satisfied expression.

Just as he reached his doorstep, he saw Zhang Li also returning, fumbling with her lock. He thought to himself, Zhang Li is back so early today? I've been hearing the lock next door late these past few days...

He called out enthusiastically, "Fellow Daoist Zhang, I bought spirit beast meat. Come over for dinner tonight."

Zhang Li turned to look at him, her face covered in fatigue. She said tiredly, "Okay, call me when you're done cooking. I'm going to sleep for a bit."

"Alright... I guess..."

Watching Zhang Li close her door, Wu Tao also went back inside and started cutting the meat to cook. The monster meat was bright red but tough, and cutting it left him with several blisters.

After toiling for over half an hour, Wu Tao looked at the two dishes and one soup on the table with great satisfaction.

He went out to call Zhang Li for dinner. Zhang Li arrived drowsy, still looking tired, and lacked her usual conversational spirit, eating in silence.

Seeing this, Wu Tao didn't know what was on her mind, and since she didn't say anything, he didn't want to pry.

So, Wu Tao ate ravenously.

He cooked a pound of spirit rice and two pounds of monster meat. Zhang Li only ate a little, and all the rest went into Wu Tao's stomach.

"I'm full. Thank you for the meal, Fellow Daoist Li. I'm going back to rest now." Zhang Li put down her chopsticks, stood up, and walked towards the door to open it.

"Zhang... Fellow Daoist, rest well..." Wu Tao touched the thirty Fragmented Spirit Stones in his sleeve pocket, knowing this was not the right time and could only watch Zhang Li leave.

Next time, when Fellow Daoist Zhang is in a better mood, he'll patronize her business again.

The monster meat was rich in spiritual energy, and Wu Tao spent a long time refining it before he could fully absorb the energy in his stomach. Afterward, he took out his Formation Practice Board to practice the Small Spirit Light Shield Restriction.

It was a First-Order Level 3 Restriction, a defensive Magic Robe. If he could refine it successfully, his income would increase even more.

With his progress increasing by another three percent, Wu Tao felt tired. He took a simple shower and went to bed.

He didn't know how long he slept, in a state of grogginess, when suddenly, a sharp, piercing scream echoed, shattering the night, and then instantly fell silent in the boundless darkness...

But this scream startled the residents of several nearby streets.

Wu Tao's eyes snapped open, and a sense of unease began to grow in his heart. He fumbled for his only Iron Sword from beside his bed. Although he knew this Iron Sword was useless, holding it made him feel slightly more at ease.

A moment later, he heard sounds of panic, and his unease intensified.

"Judging by the sound, it seems to be on the next street..."

I really hope nothing happens... I don't have the ability to resist any risks right now... Wu Tao prayed silently in his heart.

Bang bang bang!

Someone was banging on his door.

"Who is it?"

Zhang Li's face flashed through Wu Tao's mind as he gripped his Iron Sword and stepped forward.