Righteous Indignation

Shopkeeper Yu's sales pitch was so good that anyone who didn't know the value of Filth Crystals would have been incredibly grateful to him.

But as luck would have it, Wu Tao, being an Artifact Refiner, knew the value of Filth Crystals intimately. He took the Filth Crystal from Shopkeeper Yu's hand and said, "It seems Shopkeeper Yu doesn't need this Filth Crystal. I'll find someone else."

Shopkeeper Yu immediately panicked. "Fellow Daoist Li, wait! The price I offered is already higher than the market rate. Even if you go elsewhere, you might not get such a good price."

Wu Tao was angry, but he didn't show it. He looked at Shopkeeper Yu and said, "Shopkeeper Yu, I've been buying Starfire Stones and Demon Silkworm Silk from you for a long time. You must have guessed my identity. Do you think I, as an Artifact Refiner, wouldn't know the value of this Filth Crystal?"

"That's right. While the Filth Crystal is small, it only forms with a very low probability after evil spirits are dispelled. Furthermore, I believe you, as someone in the business of refining materials, know its uses. Artifact Refiners love this item."

"If I weren't short on cash and desperately needed spirit stones, I wouldn't be selling this Filth Crystal."

"I personally believe Shopkeeper Yu operates with integrity, and I am a regular customer. Shopkeeper Yu would never deceive me. I didn't expect to be disappointed."

Caught red-handed, Shopkeeper Yu didn't show any embarrassment. He smiled with admiration and gave Wu Tao a thumbs-up, praising, "Hahaha, Fellow Daoist Li, I apologize. Actually, I was testing your discernment just now. Your judgment is sharp, and you truly didn't disappoint me."

"How about this? I'll offer you five hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones for this Filth Crystal, and I'll cover the transaction tax as well."

Shopkeeper Yu was giving Wu Tao an out. Moreover, the price offered was not a rip-off. As for the transaction tax, it was his way of apologizing to Wu Tao. If Wu Tao accepted, the matter would be considered settled, and they would continue doing business as usual.

Wu Tao weighed his options and showed an apologetic, regretful expression. "Shopkeeper Yu, it was my fault. I didn't understand your intentions. I hope you won't take my earlier words to heart."

"Hahaha, not at all. It was my own private test, and I was too abrupt."

After exchanging pleasantries, Shopkeeper Yu had someone bring out five Mid-Grade Spirit Stones. It was a cash-and-carry transaction, complete with a Transaction Voucher. If any disputes arose, they could be mediated at the Market Management Office.

Now a wealthy man, Wu Tao left the artifact materials shop with great caution. He took many turns and detours until he was sure no one was following him. Only then did he return to New Virtue Alley and first went to Zhang Li's door to knock.

But after knocking for a long time, Zhang Li didn't open the door. She was clearly not home.

Wu Tao returned to his room, locked the doors and windows tightly, and then took out the five Mid-Grade Spirit Stones. Looking at them, he was overjoyed and couldn't help but think, "If evil spirits attacked every day, and I harvested a Filth Crystal daily, wouldn't I be rolling in wealth..."

As soon as the thought arose, Wu Tao was immediately alarmed. He quickly dispelled the dangerous thought and warned himself, "That was close. I almost fell into greed. On the path of cultivation, greed is the most taboo."

"I must reflect on my development plan three times a day. I am an Artifact Refiner, a low-profile Artifact Refiner. All my time is spent researching artifact refining. I am not good at Spell Battle."

"My identity as a Body Cultivator must be kept hidden. If anyone becomes greedy towards me, I can give them a surprise. Cultivate low-profile, be a qualified 'old sixth'."

After such self-reflection, Wu Tao's Dao Heart became firm again.

"Zhang Li's three Evil-Breaking Talismans played a major role in dispelling the evil spirits this time. 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 very reasonable."

"Speaking of which, Zhang Li really impressed me this time. Indeed, no one who can survive in this cannibalistic Cultivation World is a pushover. Even her job is... I must remember this deeply, never underestimate anyone."

After resting for a while, he put away the spirit stones and began to cultivate.

With five days of evil spirits lurking and five days spent recovering from injuries, Wu Tao had already wasted ten days. For him now, time was life, and it was extremely precious.

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

There wasn't much left on the board. He would need to get a new batch from the market next time he went.

Once he mastered the Small Spirit Light Shield Restriction, he would need to consider buying another Restriction Book to go further in the path of artifact refining.

Restriction Books, Melee Spells... all of this required Spirit Stones. Wu Tao felt a headache coming on. Indeed, the wealthier a person became, the greater their expenses would be.

After eating lunch, Wu Tao practiced some spells.

Then, he cultivated some more.

Soon, it was dusk.

The sound of a door opening came from next door. He quickly stopped cultivating, went out, and saw Zhang Li. He smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist Zhang, you're finally back."

Seeing his smiling face, Zhang Li knew the Filth Crystal must have sold for a good price. She glanced around and said in a low voice, "Come in and talk."

Wu Tao followed Zhang Li into her room.

Wu Tao sat down, took out his Spirit Stone Bag, and poured out three Mid-Grade Spirit Stones. He then took out the Transaction Voucher and said, "I sold it for a total of five Mid-Grade Spirit Stones. These three are for you, Fellow Daoist Zhang. Here is the Transaction Voucher, please take a look."

Zhang Li glanced at the Transaction Voucher and asked, "Fellow Daoist Li, we eliminated the Evil Spirit together. By rights, the earnings should be split equally. Why do I get one more Mid-Grade Spirit Stone than you?"

Wu Tao smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist Zhang, it took five Evil-Breaking Talismans to eliminate the Evil Spirit. You provided three, so according to the shares, you naturally get one more."

After hearing the explanation, Zhang Li felt that Wu Tao was truly a gentleman. Recalling their past interactions, they all showed his excellent character. If I were looking for a partner, I would definitely choose someone like this. It's a pity...

As she thought, her heart grew heavier.

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

Zhang Li snapped back to attention and looked at Wu Tao. "Fellow Daoist Li, I'm moving out tomorrow."

"Moving where?"

"Packhorse Street. I've joined The Pavilion of Ten Thousand Beauties, and from now on, I'll be living there." After saying this, she thought to herself: Fellow Daoist Li doesn't have that kind of affection for me, and I don't really like Fellow Daoist Li either. I just feel he's a very good person. Perhaps I was just momentarily touched and felt a great deal of emotion.

Wu Tao wasn't surprised by Zhang Li's decision to move. This was her profession, and joining The Pavilion of Ten Thousand Beauties was her choice. He wasn't the type to try and reform people.

Life was like this. As one walked through life, they changed circles and made different friends.

After changing their social circles, they might never see some old friends again for the rest of their lives.

It was like in Wu Tao's past life. After graduating from school and entering society, he wouldn't see most of his classmates again in this lifetime.

Life couldn't always be perfect, just like the moon in the sky, which had its waxing and waning.

There had to be cracks in life for the light to shine through.

Thinking this, Wu Tao showed a relieved smile and said, "Packhorse Street, that's very close. I'll come visit you, Fellow Daoist Zhang, when I have time."

Zhang Li rolled her eyes at Wu Tao and habitually teased, "Fellow Daoist Li, are you really here to visit me, or are you aiming for that? Oh, wait, I misunderstood. Fellow Daoist Li is still a virgin, so you probably don't know what it is..."

Damn it, she's already mocking me... Wu Tao's face darkened, and he snorted, "Fellow Daoist Zhang, don't underestimate me. I probably know more than you do..."

"Oh really? Show me then... otherwise, you're just a virgin, all talk and no action..."

Damn it, I tolerated your mockery when I had Evil Possession, but now that I'm better, you're still mocking me...

Wu Tao could no longer stand it and immediately threw out thirty Fragmented Spirit Stones, filled with righteous indignation.