Success

In the quiet hut.

On the hardwood bed sat a straw-woven prayer mat. Wu Tao sat cross-legged upon it, eyes tightly shut, palms facing the sky, his right hand gently holding a Low-Grade Spirit Stone. As he circulated the Sanyang Technique, the Spiritual Charm of the spirit stone gradually dimmed.

Finally, after a moment, the spirit stone's Spiritual Charm completely faded, signifying that the Spirit Energy within had been fully absorbed by Wu Tao.

Opening his eyes, Wu Tao looked at the spirit stone in his hand, now devoid of Spirit Energy. With a gentle squeeze, the stone crumbled into powder, flowing from his fingertips like fine sand onto the bed.

"This clumsy hand!"

Wu Tao muttered, casting a Cleaning Spell. The spirit stone dust on the bed was swept up and precisely deposited into the trash can beside him.

"Just finished cultivating, with Essence, Qi, and Spirit at their peak, it's the perfect time to refine the Small Spirit Shield Robe."

A realization dawned in Wu Tao's heart. Without delay, he immediately took out the Starfire Stone, Demon Silkworm Silk, and the book.

He had purchased twelve Starfire Stones and four catties of Demon Silkworm Silk with twenty Low-Grade Spirit Stones. After lending one spirit stone to Daoist Duocai and consuming one for cultivation, he was left with only four.

Just as he had anticipated, Daoist Duocai had promised to return it the next day, but he never showed up. For several days, he remained unseen.

If Wu Tao were to find Daoist Duocai's corpse somewhere, he wouldn't be surprised.

Setting aside these irrelevant thoughts, Wu Tao picked up the "Refining Methods for First-Grade Dharma Robes and Five Types of Restrictions" and began to study it carefully. The First-Grade Level Three Small Spirit Light Magic Robe required half a catty more Demon Silkworm Silk, and its structure was different.

After studying for an hour, and feeling that there were no issues, Wu Tao began the refining process.

Seated before the Earth Pit, all preparations were complete. Wu Tao exhaled a long breath of turbid air, his state of being was excellent.

"Begin!"

Two Starfire Stones were placed into the Earth Pit. With a spark, flames rose steadily.

The initial steps of decomposing the Demon Silkworm Silk cocoons were largely the same. Wu Tao had long since mastered this process, no longer making mistakes, and his speed had increased considerably.

Soon, countless strands of Demon Silkworm Silk floated above the Starfire Stones, shimmering with a silvery-gray light.

Continuing.

Step by step, the entire process flowed smoothly. However, when it came to engraving the Small Spirit Light Shield Restriction, his speed noticeably slowed, and Wu Tao's entire expression became focused.

The Small Spirit Light Shield Restriction was far more complex than the Wind-Speed Restriction, and the required Essence, Qi, and Spirit were incomparable to the latter.

Furthermore, this was Wu Tao's first time refining a Small Spirit Light Magic Robe. Caution was necessary, and rigor was the work attitude he upheld.

Time passed slowly. Wu Tao felt his Dantian's Spirit Energy was starting to strain, and his mind felt somewhat fatigued. He sensed the difficulty, but fortunately, he was nearing completion and could still hold on.

"The final step."

"Fuse."

"Refine."

Before the last word, "Combine," could leave his lips, Wu Tao's expression changed. He felt the spiritual energy slip away, his technique a step too fast. The entire restriction collapsed as it was being fused.

He withdrew his focus, letting the ruined robe fall onto the Starfire Stone and burn to ashes.

"In the end, I felt like my spiritual energy and mental focus were stretched thin, but in reality, I had enough to succeed. I was just too impatient at the end, rushing the process during melting. The melting wasn't thorough, which led to the final fusion failing."

It was like tightening a screw too fast and stripping the threads.

Wu Tao quickly identified the key point of his mistake. It was also his lack of confidence, believing that his Second Level of Qi Refining cultivation would be insufficient in spiritual energy and mental focus to refine a Tier 1, Level 3 magic tool. This subconscious thought surfaced at a critical moment, leading to the disastrous failure.

Despite this failure, Wu Tao didn't appear dejected. This wasn't his first failure, and he had already found the reason for it.

The next day.

"Success!"

"No Lucky Bonus triggered. It succeeded on the second try. It seems that as I refine more, my experience and handling techniques have become much more seasoned."

Wu Tao held the Small Spirit Shield Robe in his hands, his face beaming with joy.

Next, it was time for testing.

Wu Tao refined the restriction within the robe and then put it on. As he activated the restriction with his spiritual energy, a faint red light shield appeared around him.

Because his Sanyang Technique was fire-elemental, the defensive shield he activated was red.

Wu Tao conjured a Fireball Technique and sent it towards the shield. The shield remained motionless, and the fireball dissipated.

"Good, it's up to standard. If I fully activate the Small Spirit Shield Robe, it should be able to withstand attacks from the Fourth Level of Qi Refining to the Fifth Level of Qi Refining.

Of course, if I encounter a cultivator stronger than me, running is still the best option. Otherwise, once my spiritual energy is depleted and I can no longer activate the Small Spirit Shield, I'll have no choice but to await death.

Once I get more proficient, I'll make myself a Small Spirit Shield Robe as well."

He was already wearing a Wind-Speed Magic Robe.

As an Artifact Refiner, one shouldn't be stingy with oneself.

After the test, Wu Tao saw that he had enough materials to refine another Wind-Speed Magic Robe. He rested his mind for a moment and easily succeeded in refining the Wind-Speed Magic Robe.

"I'll set up a stall tomorrow. The Small Spirit Shield Robe will definitely be a hot seller."

Among Loose Cultivators in the lower ranks, defensive and escape-oriented magic tools held higher value and popularity. Offensive magic tools were less valuable because cultivators at this level were not very strong, and few were keen on Spell Battle.

Furthermore, the immortal path values life, making methods of self-preservation the highest priority.

The next day, Wu Tao walked through the market. He was going to rent a stall. On either side were shops, but their rent was higher and only available for annual leases.

As he looked at the shops, he couldn't help but wonder in his heart when he would be able to own a shop himself.

Suddenly, a figure was thrown out of the Dasheng Gambling House ahead by two burly men, accompanied by curses: "Scram! You dare gamble in the casino without spirit stones? If you can't repay the twenty Low-Grade Spirit Stones you owe the casino in three days, you'll pay with your life!"

The scene drew the attention of passersby. The man, clad in a tattered dark blue Daoist robe with disheveled hair, stood on a crutch. He spat fiercely at the casino's entrance, vowing hatefully, "Just you wait until this old Daoist gets his spirit stones; I'll win every last one in your casino."

After speaking, he limped away.

Wu Tao blended into the crowd, like a transparent person. He watched the limping figure merge into the flow of people, his brow furrowed.

I thought Daoist Duocai was a scammer, but I didn't expect him to be a Gambling Dog. All Gambling Dogs deserve to die. Moreover, I swore that in this life, I would be irreconcilable with gambling and drugs.

The traits of a Gambling Dog are madness, tenacity, and hopelessness. If this Gambling Dog has no spirit stones, he will definitely ask me to borrow again. If I don't lend them, I can't guarantee what outrageous things he might do.

"After all, once a Gambling Dog goes mad, they recognize no one."

Wu Tao pondered, and soon made a decision: "I'll sell these two magic robes I have on me and move tonight. I don't want to be entangled by a Gambling Dog. Staying far away from Gambling Dogs is the best choice."

The frown on his brow gradually eased.

After renting the stall, Wu Tao displayed the magic robes. Soon, Loose Cultivators came to inquire about the prices.

Wu Tao had set the price at forty Low-Grade Spirit Stones. It wouldn't be impossible to lower it by two, and besides, he didn't have his certification yet, so customers would definitely use that to pressure him on the price.

For a Tier 1 Level 3 Defensive Magic Robe, the higher the grade, the price doubled.

Once it reached the Tier 1 Advanced grade, the unit of measurement would no longer be Low-Grade Spirit Stones, but Mid-Grade Spirit Stones.

The first Loose Cultivator didn't have that many spirit stones but really wanted to buy it. He offered to exchange it for other items, but Wu Tao was only short of spirit stones at the moment, so he refused.

Half an hour later, this Small Spirit Shield Robe was bought by a Loose Cultivator in the Mid-Stage Qi Refining by thirty-nine Low-Grade Spirit Stones. This one-stone discount was indeed due to the certification issue.

"Haven't I finished studying yet? Once I'm done, I'll go get certified immediately."

Wu Tao made up his mind in his heart.