Righteous Indignation

Shopkeeper Yu's way of talking would surely have left anyone ignorant of the value of Filth Crystals moved to tears with gratitude.

But Wu Tao, being an Artifact Refiner, knew the value of Filth Crystals all too well. He took the Filth Crystal from Shopkeeper Yu's hand and said, "It seems Shopkeeper Yu has no need for Filth Crystals. Then Li will look elsewhere."

Shopkeeper Yu immediately grew anxious. "Fellow Daoist Li, wait. The price I offered is already higher than the market rate. Even if you go elsewhere, you may not get such a high price."

Wu Tao was angry in his heart, but showed none of it on his face. Looking at Shopkeeper Yu, he said, "Shopkeeper Yu, I have always bought Starfire Stones and Demon Silkworm Silk from you. Surely you have guessed my identity. Do you think Li, as an Artifact Refiner, would not know the value of this Filth Crystal?"

"Indeed, this Filth Crystal is somewhat small, but after an Evil Spirit perishes, there is only a tiny chance that a Filth Crystal will condense. Moreover, I presume Shopkeeper Yu, who deals in artifact-refining materials, also knows its use. This is precisely what Artifact Refiners prize most."

"If Li were not short on funds and in urgent need of Spirit Stones, I would never have sold this Filth Crystal."

"I had privately believed that Shopkeeper Yu based his business on integrity, and as I am one of your regular customers, Shopkeeper Yu would never deceive me. Yet unexpectedly, Li has been disappointed."

Having been exposed, Shopkeeper Yu was not embarrassed in the slightest. A smile of admiration appeared on his face as he gave Wu Tao a thumbs-up and praised, "Hahaha, Fellow Daoist Li, my apologies. In truth, Yu was merely testing Fellow Daoist Li's eye for appraisal just now. Fellow Daoist Li's gaze is like a torch; you truly have not disappointed Yu."

"How about this? I will offer Fellow Daoist Li five hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones for this Filth Crystal, and I will pay the transaction tax for you as well."

Shopkeeper Yu was giving Wu Tao a way out, and the price he offered was not exploitative. As for paying the transaction tax, that was his apology to Wu Tao. If Wu Tao accepted, then this matter would be treated as though it had never happened, and the two could continue doing business in the future.

After weighing it over, Wu Tao put on an apologetic expression and said remorsefully, "Shopkeeper Yu, Li was in the wrong. I failed to see Shopkeeper Yu's painstaking intentions. I hope Shopkeeper Yu will not take my words from earlier to heart."

"Hahaha, not at all, not at all. It was I who presumptuously tested you. I was too abrupt."

After exchanging some polite formalities, Shopkeeper Yu had someone bring over Five Mid-Grade Spirit Stones. Money and goods changed hands at the same time, and he also issued a Transaction Voucher. Should any dispute arise, they could go to the Market Management Office for mediation.

With a huge fortune on him, Wu Tao was exceedingly careful after leaving the artifact-refining materials shop. He took several twists and turns, and only when there was no one following behind him did he return to New Virtue Alley and first go to knock on the door at Zhang Li's door.

But even after knocking for a long while, Zhang Li did not open the door. Clearly, she was not home.

Wu Tao returned to his room and tightly shut the doors and windows before taking out the Five Mid-Grade Spirit Stones. Looking at them, joy filled his heart, and he could not help thinking, If Evil Spirits attacked every day and I harvested a Filth Crystal every day, wouldn't wealth come rolling in like surging waters...

The instant that thought arose, Wu Tao was alarmed. He hurriedly dispelled the dangerous notion and warned himself, "That was close. I nearly fell into greed. On the path of cultivation, the word 'greed' is the greatest taboo."

"I should examine my development plan three times a day. I am an Artifact Refiner, a low-key Artifact Refiner. All my time is spent studying the path of artifact refinement, and I am not skilled at Spell Battles."

"My identity as a Body Cultivator must be deeply hidden. If anyone develops greedy intentions toward me, I can give them a surprise. Cultivate quietly and be a qualified old sixth."

After reflecting like this, Wu Tao's Dao Heart became firm once more.

"Being able to eliminate the Evil Spirit this time was largely thanks to Zhang Li's three Evil-Breaking Talismans. I only used two evil-breaking talismans, so Zhang Li gets three Mid-Grade Spirit Stones, and I get two Mid-Grade Spirit Stones."

"This is perfectly reasonable."

"Come to think of it, Zhang Li truly made me see her in a new light this time. Sure enough, in this Cultivation World that devours people alive, no one who survives is an easy mark. Even if her work is... I must remember this deeply and never underestimate anyone."

After resting for a while, he put away the Spirit Stones and began cultivating.

Five days with evil spirits watching him covetously and five days spent recovering from his injuries—Wu Tao had already wasted ten days. To him now, time was life itself, incredibly precious.

After cultivating for two shichen, he took out the Formation Practice Board and began practicing the Small Spirit Light Shield Restriction.

There were not many Spirit Boards left. The next time he went to the Marketplace, he would need to stock up on another batch.

Once he mastered the Small Spirit Light Shield Restriction, he would have to consider buying another book of Restriction Books in order to go farther on the path of artifact refinement.

Restriction Books, Melee Spell... all of it required Spirit Stones. Wu Tao felt a headache coming on. Sure enough, the richer a person became, the greater the corresponding expenses they required.

After lunch, Wu Tao practiced spells for a while.

Afterward, he cultivated again.

Before long, dusk arrived.

The sound of a door opening came from next door. He immediately stopped cultivating and went outside. Seeing Zhang Li, he smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist Zhang, you are finally back."

Seeing the smile on his face, Zhang Li knew the Filth Crystal must have sold for a good price. She glanced around and said softly, "Come inside and talk."

Wu Tao followed Zhang Li into her room.

Wu Tao sat down, took out his Spirit Stone Bag, poured out Three Mid-Grade Spirit Stones, then took out the Transaction Voucher. "It sold for a total of Five Mid-Grade Spirit Stones. These three are Fellow Daoist Zhang's. Here is the Transaction Voucher; please examine it."

Zhang Li glanced at the Transaction Voucher and asked, "Fellow Daoist Li, you and I eliminated the Evil Spirit together. By rights, the proceeds should be divided equally. Why am I receiving One Mid-Grade Spirit Stone more than you?"

Wu Tao smiled. "Fellow Daoist Zhang, it took Five Evil-Breaking Talismans to eliminate the Evil Spirit. You contributed three, so divided according to the shares, naturally you receive one more."

After hearing his explanation, Zhang Li only felt that Wu Tao was truly a gentleman. Thinking of all their past interactions, every one of them showed his excellent character. If I were to choose a Dao Companion, I would definitely choose someone like him. It is only a pity...

The more she thought, the more desolate her heart became.

Seeing her expression, Wu Tao asked, "Fellow Daoist Zhang, is something wrong?"

Zhang Li came back to herself, looked at Wu Tao, and said, "Fellow Daoist Li, I am moving away tomorrow."

"Where are you moving to?"

"Packhorse Street. I have joined The Pavilion of Ten Thousand Beauties, and from now on, I will live in the pavilion." After saying that, she thought, Fellow Daoist Li does not like me in that way, and I do not truly like Fellow Daoist Li either. I merely think he is an exceptionally good person. Perhaps I was momentarily moved and overwhelmed with emotion, that is all.

Wu Tao was not surprised by Zhang Li's departure. This was what she did; going to The Pavilion of Ten Thousand Beauties was her own choice. He was not the sort of person who persuaded others to turn over a new leaf.

Life was like this. As one journeyed through it, one entered different circles and made different friends.

After changing one's social circle, one might never see one's former friends again for the rest of one's life.

Just like in Wu Tao's previous life: once he graduated from school and entered society, he would never see most of his classmates again.

Life could not always be perfect. Like the moon in the sky, it would always wax and wane, shine and darken.

There had to be cracks in life, so that light could shine through.

Thinking of this, Wu Tao revealed a relieved smile and said, "Packhorse Street is very close. When I have time, I will come visit Fellow Daoist Zhang."

Zhang Li rolled her eyes at Wu Tao and teased him out of habit. "Is Fellow Daoist Li truly coming to visit me, rather than coming for that sort of thing? Oh, I misunderstood. Fellow Daoist Li is still a virgin even now. I suppose you do not even know what it is..."

Damn it, she's already mocking me... Wu Tao's face darkened as he snorted coldly. "Fellow Daoist Zhang, do not underestimate me. What I know may be more than Fellow Daoist Zhang knows..."

"Is that so? Demonstrate it for me... Otherwise, you are just a virgin who only knows how to wage war on paper..."

Damn it, when I had Evil Possession, I endured your mockery. Now that my body is better, you are still mocking me...

Wu Tao could endure no longer. He immediately slapped down thirty Fragmented Spirit Stones, righteous indignation filling his chest.