Filth Crystal

Zhang Li said weakly, "The Patrol Squad is here."

"Fuck! The Evil Spirit had barely died, and they came right after—damn timely." Wu Tao gritted his teeth, spat out a mouthful of bloody saliva, endured the pain as he quickly climbed up, picked up the black crystal from the ground, took off his shoe, and hid it inside.

After putting his shoe back on and making sure it did not press against his foot, he returned to his original spot and lay down. Seeing Zhang Li about to rise, he hurriedly said, "Don't get up. Lie down and play unconscious. Don't move until I call you."

Zhang Li did not understand why, but she still did as he said. Closing her eyes, she pretended to be unconscious.

Wu Tao immediately closed his eyes as well and feigned unconsciousness.

Footsteps sounded by their ears.

The Patrol Squad had arrived.

There were seven people in the squad, dressed in black robes with spell swords hanging at their waists. Upon arriving, they first saw Wu Tao and Zhang Li lying on the ground. However, they did not immediately concern themselves with whether the two were dead or alive, instead examining the scene.

"There are remnants of Evil-Breaking Talismans, and more than one. No wonder they were able to eliminate the Evil Spirit... Ji Yun, use the Evil-Expelling Treasure Mirror to sweep the scene and ensure the Evil Spirit has completely perished." After inspecting the site, the Patrol Squad captain spoke to one of the members.

The patrol member named Ji Yun immediately took a bronze mirror from his robes. As he poured spiritual power into it, the Treasure Mirror began to shine. After its cylindrical beam swept through the entire room, he respectfully reported, "Captain, it can now be confirmed that the Evil Spirit has perished."

The captain nodded before saying, "Go see whether those two are dead."

Ji Yun put away the Evil-Expelling Treasure Mirror and walked toward Wu Tao and Zhang Li.

Hearing the footsteps, Wu Tao suddenly coughed, coughing up a mouthful of bloody foam as he struggled upright. He muttered, "Fellow Daoist Zhang, Fellow Daoist Zhang..." Then he crawled toward Zhang Li in panic and gently patted her cheek. "Fellow Daoist Zhang, don't you dare die!"

Zhang Li slowly opened her eyes and weakly asked, "Fellow Daoist Li, are we still alive?"

"Alive, we're alive..." Wu Tao said, laughing and coughing at the same time.

Ji Yun stopped walking when Wu Tao coughed. Seeing that the two appeared not to have noticed them, he turned and reported to the captain, "Captain, these two are still alive."

The captain fell silent for a moment. He looked at Ji Yun for a long while before saying, "I can see that."

Hearing their conversation, Wu Tao and Zhang Li seemed to notice someone only then. They looked over, and upon clearly seeing their attire, hurriedly bowed in fear and trepidation. "Greetings, my lords. We..."

"No rush..." The captain walked over, crouched before Wu Tao and Zhang Li, and extended his hand toward Ji Yun. "Ji Yun, bring me the Evil-Expelling Treasure Mirror."

Taking the Evil-Expelling Treasure Mirror, the captain activated it and swept its light over the two from head to toe. Only then did he say, "All right. Neither of you has been invaded by Evil Qi. Congratulations on surviving."

"Thank you!" Wu Tao said with cupped hands.

Next, the Patrol Squad asked about the course of the battle. Wu Tao honestly explained everything, except for the matter of the black crystal. After the questioning, the Patrol Squad said nothing more and packed up to leave.

After the Patrol Squad left, Wu Tao looked around. Even the door panels had fallen off. In the dead of night, where were they supposed to stay...

Moreover, both he and Zhang Li were injured.

Seeing this, Zhang Li suggested, "Fellow Daoist Li, why not make do at my place for the night?"

The lamplight was as small as a bean. Zhang Li was bandaging Wu Tao's right hand. His right hand had been burned raw when he activated the Evil-Breaking Talisman, the flesh mangled and bloody, a horrifying sight.

As Zhang Li worked with the gauze, she glanced at Wu Tao before slowly saying, "Fellow Daoist Li, so you had already expelled the Yin Evil Qi... If the Patrol Squad had not swept us with the Evil-Expelling Treasure Mirror, I still would not have realized it."

Wu Tao said, "It happened a few days ago."

After the bandaging was finished, the two sat on chairs. Wu Tao took the black crystal from his shoe and examined it beneath the lamplight. The black crystal was as pure as ink, radiating a dark, lustrous gleam.

Zhang Li asked curiously, "Fellow Daoist Li, what is this?"

Wu Tao explained, "This is a Filth Crystal, condensed within an Evil Spirit. It is an excellent material for refining Magic Tools. They say that a Magic Tool refined with a Filth Crystal added to it gains the ability to foul an opponent's Magic Tool."

"So powerful?"

"Mm. To buy the Evil-Breaking Talismans, the two of us poured our entire fortunes into them. This Filth Crystal can let us earn back our investment—and then some, the kind of profit where one investment yields ten thousand returns. Luckily, the Patrol Squad was one step too slow. Otherwise, how could this Filth Crystal possibly have fallen into our hands?"

As an Artifact Refiner, Wu Tao knew that in the long run, once his strength was sufficient to refine a Filth Crystal Magic Tool, it would be of tremendous use.

But this Filth Crystal did not belong entirely to him. Zhang Li had a share in it as well.

"Once our injuries heal, we'll sell this Filth Crystal and split the Spirit Stones." Wu Tao said to Zhang Li.

"All right!" Zhang Li had no objections.

"The Evil Spirit has been removed. Fellow Daoist Zhang, let's both get some rest. We're too tired." After saying that, Wu Tao rose, took a quilt from Zhang Li's bed, spread it on the floor, and prepared to sleep.

Zhang Li said, "Fellow Daoist Li, the floor is cold. Why not sleep on the bed?"

Wu Tao had just been about to lie down. Hearing her say that, he felt he should respect a woman's wishes, so he said, "All right!"

A moment later.

Zhang Li lay on the quilt spread across the floor, listening to Wu Tao's even breathing from the bed. In her heart, she bitterly regretted saying such a thing. Besides, was that what I meant? I meant both of us could sleep on the bed...

Suddenly, she heard the sound of someone getting up. Looking over, she saw Wu Tao rise, walk over, and crouch beside her with a smile. "I was teasing you. You go sleep on the bed."

"You..." Zhang Li flew into a rage. She got up, clenched her fist, and lightly punched him. Wu Tao immediately hissed in pain, and she panicked. "Sorry, I forgot you were seriously injured... You really are infuriating. You clearly knew what I meant..."

After catching his breath, Wu Tao said, "I knew what you meant. It's just that I was afraid I wouldn't be able to hold back. We're both badly injured, so it isn't suitable for overexertion..."

Only then was Zhang Li satisfied. "At least you're still human..."

After saying that, she ignored Wu Tao and went to sleep on the bed.

The next day.

The two both woke up very late.

After getting up, they first circulated their cultivation to heal their injuries. Then, after eating Spirit Rice, Wu Tao returned to repair the door.

Once the door was fixed, Zhang Li came over carrying his neatly folded magic robe. "Fellow Daoist Li, I have removed the Spiritual Sense Imprint from your magic robe. Here, I'm returning it to you."

Wu Tao looked at the magic robe. Thinking of how they had faced life and death together the previous night, he said, "It's yours."

Upon hearing that, Zhang Li shook her head. "Fellow Daoist Li, you truly underestimate me. For no reason, I would never accept your favor for nothing. Besides, if I need a magic robe, I can earn Spirit Stones and buy one myself."

What a complicated person, but one worthy of respect... Wu Tao immediately took back the magic robe and sincerely apologized. "Fellow Daoist Zhang, I misunderstood you. I apologize."

Only then did Zhang Li smile.

Five days later.

Wu Tao and Zhang Li's injuries had both fully healed.

It was time to sell the Filth Crystal.

Ever since the Evil Spirit had been eliminated, the price of Evil-Breaking Talismans had rapidly fallen. In merely one day, they had returned to their original price of Twenty Low-Grade Spirit Stones. Those who had bought Evil-Breaking Talismans hoping to resell them were completely dumbfounded.

Wu Tao went to the artifact-material shop where he usually purchased supplies and sought out the shopkeeper.

This shopkeeper's surname was Yu, and he was already quite familiar with Wu Tao. Seeing Wu Tao come to him alone, he smiled and cupped his hands. "Fellow Daoist Li, are you here for Starfire Stone and Demon Silkworm Silk?"

Wu Tao smiled. "Shopkeeper Yu, I have something good here. I wonder whether you need it?"

"Oh?" Shopkeeper Yu's interest was immediately piqued. "Take it out and let me see."

Wu Tao took out the Filth Crystal and placed it on the table before Shopkeeper Yu.

"This is?" The instant Shopkeeper Yu saw it, something came to mind. He picked it up and examined it for a moment before saying, "Not bad. It is a Filth Crystal. However, this Filth Crystal is too small. That Evil Spirit was no stronger than the first tier, so the price..."

He glanced at Wu Tao. "The price will naturally be much lower. At most, it is worth one hundred and thirty Low-Grade Spirit Stones. How about this? For the sake of my familiarity with Fellow Daoist Li, I'll offer one hundred and fifty Low-Grade Spirit Stones."

"What does Fellow Daoist Li think?"