Awakened

Wu Tao's stall was at number 103 in Ding District that day. On his left was a seller of Spirit Herbs,

and on his right was a seller of "antiques"—really just an assortment of strange odds and ends: jade pieces, stones, beads, books, clay jars, and more.

The Stall Owner wore a shabby dark-blue Daoist Robe and a Celestial Master Hat. With a Fly Whisk in hand, Ronghao Eyes, a goatee, and fingers poised like orchid petals, he struck the pose of an exalted master.

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

The moment Wu Tao set up his stall, the old Daoist greeted him warmly and began hawking his wares. He claimed one jade piece was a Magic Tool once used by a Golden Core Master of Five Spring Mountain, while a clay jar had been made from Immortal-Grade Material and could swallow the heavens and hold the earth. He nearly bluffed Wu Tao into believing him.

Unfortunately, Wu Tao was poor. Even if the old Daoist's tongue blossomed with lotus flowers, he would never coax a single Fragmented Spirit Stone out of him. All that talk was wasted!

Wu Tao had seen stalls like this in his previous life whenever he passed an overpass or certain streets. Nine fakes for every genuine article—or sometimes nothing but fakes. Without a discerning eye, no one should dream of finding a treasure and striking it rich.

What fate had in store would come in time; what it withheld could not be forced.

He might as well turn left and have a corn removed at the neighboring stall that read characters, told fortunes, and examined palms.

While Wu Tao watched over his stall, a fat man came up to the old Daoist's. Wu Tao immediately looked over, hoping to learn a few sales pitches for when he sold Magic Robes in the future.

The fat man picked up a stone, and the old Daoist immediately said, "Fellow Daoist, what a keen eye! That's a meteorite. A meteorite that fell from the sky. Look at these impact marks... This one's a meteorite too, a Jade Meteorite... The finest material for refining Magic Tools..."

"Come, Fellow Daoist, take a look. This Melted Shell is a whole finger thick. What does that tell us? It fell from somewhere very, very far above us. It might even be an Immortal's Artifact Fragment. Look at these impact marks... formed entirely by nature, almost bearing Dao Rhyme..."

"If you contemplate it every day, Fellow Daoist, perhaps one day you'll comprehend an Immortal Technique and ascend to immortality on the spot..."

"Since you're sincere about buying it, Fellow Daoist, and you know quality when you see it, I'll make you an offer. I was going to sell this Jade Meteorite for five hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones, but I'm in a good mood today. For you, just fifty..."

"Safe travels, Fellow Daoist!"

"Damn, he really bought it." Wu Tao watched the Daoist see the fat man off, then tuck away the fifty Low-Grade Spirit Stones with a beaming smile. What a sucker. Maybe...

"Fellow Daoist, interested in a Magic Robe? This First-Rank Level 2 Wind-Speed Magic Robe doubles your speed. It's perfect for escaping with your life."

The fat man turned and glanced at Wu Tao, then pulled open his outer garment to reveal a splendid Magic Robe. "Mine's a Tier 1 Advanced Magic Robe, with defense and speed Restrictions... I wouldn't touch your trash robe."

With that, the fat man walked away. Wu Tao had no answer, but cursed inwardly: Which rich family did this fool crawl out of? Money or not, you're still a sucker.

After cursing him, Wu Tao turned and saw the old Daoist hurriedly gather his wares, roll them up, sling them over his back, and vanish into the crowd in a flash.

"A swindler after all... One shot, then off to the next spot. I'd better not learn his sales pitch!" Wu Tao decided he was better off doing business honestly.

While no one was asking about Magic Robes, Wu Tao took out a book to memorize.

It was titled One Thousand Basic Knowledge of Artifact Refining.

He had asked around a few days earlier and learned that the Artifact Refiner Certificate exam was held at the Five Spring Artifact Refining Hall on Fragrant Spring Road. When he went there to inquire, he found the exam had requirements. First, he had to memorize One Thousand Basic Knowledge of Artifact Refining, a basic artifact-refining text.

There were other requirements, of course, but he would start by studying the questions. He reckoned memorizing all one thousand points would take ages.

It reminded him of the college entrance exam in his previous life.

He had bought One Thousand Basic Knowledge of Artifact Refining at the Five Spring Artifact Refining Hall for five Low-Grade Spirit Stones.

They sure knew how to make money.

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

Seeing little chance of another sale that day, he packed up.

After paying the tax, Wu Tao did the sums in his head. He now had thirty-five Low-Grade Spirit Stones and more than thirty Fragmented Spirit Stones.

A few days ago, he had visited the Threefold Magic Pavilion, a shop specializing in cultivation methods and spells. There, a Melee Spell had caught his eye, but it cost three hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones.

If he refined four Magic Robes a week, the proceeds from one would cover materials for the next batch, and another would pay for daily cultivation and miscellaneous expenses. He could save the proceeds from the remaining two—over eighty Low-Grade Spirit Stones a month.

Didn't that mean he could buy the spell in about four months?

Yes.

His math was right.

"Life's looking more promising by the day. Hmm, why not celebrate tonight and give Zhang Li some business?" The thought suddenly flashed through Wu Tao's mind.

"Young Friend Li!"

As Wu Tao passed Han Tiezhu's stall, Han Tiezhu called out to him. Wu Tao looked at the Spirit Rice on display and wrestled with himself for a long while before saying, "Uncle Han, weigh me thirty catties of Spirit Rice."

"Coming right up!" Han Tiezhu weighed it out with a smile.

"Why didn't Mingxiu come help at the stall today?"

"She went to work the fields with her mother. Her Spirit Planter exam's coming up soon, too. These days she works the fields by day and reviews Spirit Planter knowledge by night. She's pressed for time. Here, an extra catty for you as usual, Young Friend Li."

"Thank you, Uncle Han. Please tell Mingxiu to stay calm, and that I hope she gets her Spirit Planter Certificate without a hitch."

Wu Tao picked up the Spirit Rice, said goodbye to Han Tiezhu, and headed home to cook.

As he passed a stall selling Monster Meat, he heard the Stall Owner hollering, "Freshly hunted Demonic Beast! Tier 1 Elementary Demonic Beast meat! Five catties for one Low-Grade Spirit Stone!"

"Weigh me ten catties..."

"I'll take twenty."

Plenty of people were buying Monster Meat.

Monster Meat held even more spiritual energy than Spirit Rice. The price made Wu Tao itch to buy some, and at last he steeled himself and stepped forward.

"Eating Monster Meat helps with cultivation. Besides, I've got Spirit Stones now. I ought to try it at least once, or what was the point of coming to a world of immortal cultivation?"

"Stall Owner, five catties for me!"

The Stall Owner selling Monster Meat was broad-shouldered and thick-waisted, with a round face and a bushy beard. His shirt hung open over a thicket of chest hair, and he held a butcher's knife. He radiated menace and looked like someone best left alone.

Monster Meat in his left hand and Spirit Rice in his right, Wu Tao went home thoroughly satisfied.

Just as he reached his door, he saw Zhang Li had returned and was unlocking hers. He wondered, Zhang Li's home early today? Lately, I haven't heard her unlock the door next door until much later...

Aloud, he called warmly, "Fellow Daoist Zhang, I bought some Monster Meat. Come over for dinner tonight."

Zhang Li turned to look at him. Exhaustion covered her face. "All right. Call me when it's ready. I'll get some sleep first."

"All... right..."

Wu Tao watched her close her door, then went inside and started cutting the meat and cooking. The Monster Meat was bright red but so tough that several blisters rose on his hand before he finished cutting it.

After working for more than an hour, Wu Tao looked at the two dishes and a soup on the table, well pleased.

He went out to call Zhang Li to dinner. She arrived still drowsy, her face weary. She had none of her usual eagerness to talk and ate in silence.

Wu Tao could tell something was troubling her, but since she did not bring it up, he felt it was not his place to pry.

So Wu Tao threw himself into eating.

He had cooked a catty of Spirit Rice and two catties of Monster Meat. Zhang Li ate only a little; the rest all went into Wu Tao's stomach.

"I'm full. Thank you for dinner, Fellow Daoist Li. I'll go back and rest." Zhang Li set down her chopsticks, rose, and walked toward the door.

"Fellow Daoist Zhang... get some good rest..." Wu Tao touched the thirty Fragmented Spirit Stones in his sleeve pocket. This was clearly the wrong time, so he could only watch her leave.

He would give Fellow Daoist Zhang his business another time, when she was in a better mood.

The Monster Meat was packed with spiritual energy. It took Wu Tao a long time to refine the energy in his stomach. Afterward, he took out his Formation Practice Board to practice the Small Spirit Light Shield Restriction.

A Tier 1 Level 3 Restriction would let him make a defensive Magic Robe. If he succeeded, he would earn more.

He raised his progress by another three percentage points, then felt fatigue set in. After a quick wash, he went to bed.

He had no idea how long he had slept. While he was still half-dreaming, a shrill scream suddenly tore through the night, then vanished into its boundless darkness...

But that scream woke residents across several nearby streets.

Wu Tao's eyes flew open. Unease rose in him as he felt around by his bed for his only Iron Sword. He knew it was next to useless, but holding it made him feel a little steadier.

A moment later, he heard sounds of panic. His unease deepened.

From the sound of it, that came from the next street...

Please, don't let anything happen... I can't handle trouble right now... Wu Tao prayed inwardly.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Someone was pounding on his door.

"Who is it?"

Zhang Li's face flashed through Wu Tao's mind. Gripping his Iron Sword tightly, he stepped forward.