Filth Crystal

Zhang Li said weakly, "The patrol is here."

"Damn it! They showed up right after the evil spirit died, how timely." Wu Tao gritted his teeth, spat out a mouthful of blood, endured the pain, and quickly got up. He picked up the black crystal from the ground, took off his shoe, and hid it inside.

After putting his shoe back on and confirming it wouldn't be uncomfortable, he lay back down in his original position. Seeing Zhang Li about to get up, he quickly said, "Don't get up, stay down and pretend to be unconscious. Wait until I call you to get up."

Zhang Li didn't understand why, but she did as he said, closing her eyes and feigning unconsciousness.

Wu Tao also immediately closed his eyes and pretended to be unconscious.

Footsteps sounded nearby.

The patrol had arrived.

The squad consisted of seven people, dressed in black robes and with Spell Swords hanging from their waists. Upon arrival, they first saw Wu Tao and Zhang Li lying on the ground. However, instead of attending to their condition, they began to examine the scene.

"There are remnants of Evil-Breaking Talismans, and more than one. No wonder they could eliminate the evil spirit... Ji Yun, use the Evil-Expelling Treasure Mirror to scan the area to ensure the evil spirit is completely annihilated," the patrol captain said to one of the members after his inspection.

The patrol member, Ji Yun, immediately took a bronze mirror from his embrace. Infusing it with spiritual energy, the mirror emitted a light. After a cylindrical beam illuminated the entire room, he respectfully reported to the captain, "Captain, it has been confirmed that the evil spirit has been eliminated."

The captain nodded before saying, "Go check if those two are dead."

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

Hearing the footsteps, Wu Tao suddenly coughed, spitting out a mouthful of bloody foam. He struggled to sit up, muttering, "Fellow Daoist Zhang, Fellow Daoist Zhang..." He scrambled towards Zhang Li, gently patting her cheek, "Fellow Daoist Zhang, please don't die!"

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

"We're alive, we're alive..." Wu Tao said, smiling and coughing.

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

The captain was silent for a moment, then looked at Ji Yun for a long time before saying, "I can see that."

Hearing their conversation, Wu Tao and Zhang Li seemed to just notice them and looked over. Upon seeing their uniforms, they hurriedly bowed, "Greetings, sirs. We..."

"No rush..." The captain walked over, squatted in front of Wu Tao and Zhang Li, and said to Ji Yun, "Ji Yun, hand me the Evil-Expelling Treasure Mirror."

Taking the Evil-Expelling Treasure Mirror, the captain activated it and scanned both of them from head to toe before saying, "Alright, neither of you has been infected by Evil Qi. Congratulations on surviving."

"Thank you!" Wu Tao cupped his fists in thanks.

Next, the patrol asked about the details of the fight. Wu Tao truthfully recounted everything, except for the matter of the black crystal. After the questioning, the patrol didn't say much more and left.

After the patrol left, Wu Tao glanced around. The door was gone. At this late hour, where would they stay...

Moreover, both he and Zhang Li were injured.

Seeing this, Zhang Li suggested, "Fellow Daoist Li, why don't we go to my place and make do for the night!"

The lamplight was dim, and Zhang Li was bandaging Wu Tao's right hand. His right hand had been burned raw by activating the Evil-Breaking Talisman, looking bloody and gruesome, extremely terrifying.

Zhang Li fiddled with the gauze, glanced at Wu Tao, and then slowly said, "Fellow Daoist Li, so you had already dispelled the Yin Evil Qi... If it weren't for the Patrol Squad shining the Evil-Expelling Treasure Mirror, I wouldn't have snapped back to my senses."

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

After the bandaging was finished, the two sat on chairs. Wu Tao took out a black crystal from his shoe and examined it under the lamplight. This black crystal was as pure as ink, emitting a dark luster.

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

Wu Tao explained, "This is a Filth Crystal, condensed from within Evil Spirits. It's a top-grade material for refining Magic Tools. I heard that Magic Tools refined with Filth Crystals gain the effect of defiling opponents."

"That powerful?"

"Mhm. To buy the Evil-Breaking Talismans, you and I emptied our coffers. This Filth Crystal can help us recoup our losses, the kind that yields a thousandfold profit. Fortunately, the Patrol Squad was a step behind, otherwise, this Filth Crystal wouldn't have fallen into our hands."

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

But this Filth Crystal wasn't entirely his; Zhang Li had a share in it too.

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

"Alright!" Zhang Li had no objections.

"The Evil Spirit is gone. Fellow Daoist Zhang, let's get some rest. We're too tired," Wu Tao said, then got up, took a quilt from Zhang Li's bed, and spread it on the floor, preparing to sleep.

Zhang Li said, "Fellow Daoist Li, the floor is cold. Why don't you sleep on the bed!"

Wu Tao was about to lie down when he heard her say that. He felt he should respect the woman's wishes and replied, "Okay!"

A moment later.

Zhang Li lay on the quilt spread on the floor, listening to Wu Tao's steady breathing from the bed. In her heart, she deeply regretted saying what she had just said. Besides, was that what I meant? I meant that both of us could sleep on the bed...

Suddenly, she heard the sound of someone getting up. Looking, she saw Wu Tao getting up and coming over to squat beside her, smiling, "I was just teasing you. You go sleep on the bed!"

"You..." Zhang Li was furious. She got up, clenched her fist, and lightly punched him. Wu Tao immediately winced in pain. She then said flusteredly, "I'm sorry, I forgot you were seriously injured... You're so hateful, knowing what I meant..."

Wu Tao recovered and said, "I know what you meant, but I was afraid I wouldn't be able to help myself. Both of us are seriously injured, it's not suitable for overexertion..."

Zhang Li was finally satisfied and said, "At least you're still human..."

With that, she stopped paying attention to Wu Tao and went to bed to sleep.

The next day.

Both of them woke up very late.

After getting up, he first circulated his energy to heal his injuries, then ate the Spirit Rice, and Wu Tao went back to repair his door.

After the door was repaired, Zhang Li came over with the folded Magic Robe and said, "Fellow Daoist Li, here is your Magic Robe. I have removed the Spiritual Sense Imprint from it."

Wu Tao glanced at the Magic Robe and remembered fighting side-by-side last night. He said, "I'll give it to you!"

Zhang Li heard this and shook her head, saying, "Fellow Daoist Li, you underestimate me. I won't accept your favor for no reason. Besides, if I need a Magic Robe, I can earn Spirit Stones to buy one myself."

What a complicated person, but worthy of respect... Wu Tao immediately took back the Magic Robe and apologized sincerely, "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 healed.

It was time to sell the Filth Crystals.

Since the Evil Spirits were eliminated, the price of Evil-Breaking Talismans plummeted. In just one day, they returned to their original price of twenty Low-Grade Spirit Stones. Those who had bought Evil-Breaking Talismans and wanted to sell them were completely stunned.

Wu Tao went to the materials shop where he usually sourced his goods and found the shopkeeper.

The shopkeeper's surname was Yu, and he was quite familiar with Wu Tao. Seeing Wu Tao looking for him alone, he cupped his hands with a smile and said, "Fellow Daoist Li, are you looking for Starfire Stones and Demon Silkworm Silk?"

Wu Tao smiled and said, "Shopkeeper Yu, I have a good item here. Do you need it?"

"Oh?" Shopkeeper Yu's interest was immediately piqued. "Show me quickly."

Wu Tao took out the Filth Crystal and placed it on Shopkeeper Yu's desk.

"What is this?" The moment Shopkeeper Yu saw it, something came to mind. He picked it up and examined it for a moment before saying, "Indeed, it's a Filth Crystal. However, the quantity is too small. This Evil Spirit's strength did not exceed Tier 1. As for the price..."

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

"What does Fellow Daoist Li think?"