First Kill

"It's snowing!"

In the early morning, Wu Tao pushed open his door and saw snowflakes falling from the sky, turning the world white.

On the street, stepping into the snow was like sinking directly to his knees in its softness.

He extended his hand, looking up at the sky. It was clear, without the sun, only goose-feather-like snowflakes drifting down. They landed on his hand and instantly melted from the heat.

When he had first transmigrated, it was the height of summer. In the blink of an eye, it was now deep winter.

The memories of his past life seemed to be slowly blurring into recollection.

The faces of teachers like Youcai also seemed to blur into a haze in his memory, leaving only fragments of their movements.

After practicing the Body Tempering Art, his blood and qi were strong. Though a biting wind blew, he felt no cold.

Looking at the snow-covered sky, a playful mood suddenly struck him. Strictly speaking, in his fifty-plus years of life, both past and present, this was only his second time seeing snow. The city where he grew up in his past life only had one snowfall in '02, and none after that.

So, seeing the snow, Wu Tao's dormant heart couldn't help but become active.

He ran through the snow, rolled some into a ball, and threw it at the door. Watching the snowball burst, he then simply built two snowmen by the entrance, giving the impression of left and right guardians.

However, after his enthusiasm waned, he seriously examined the two snowmen and felt they were too conspicuous, not fitting his low-key style of conduct. After some thought, he melted them with a Fireball Technique.

Afterward, he stepped through the knee-deep snow, heading towards the market.

Wu Tao carried only a bundle on his back. His Three-Pointed Great Spear was not left at home but was stored in a Disposable Storage Talisman to avoid attracting attention.

A Disposable Storage Talisman cost one Low-Grade Spirit Stone for five pieces.

Once the items inside were removed, the space would collapse. It wasn't as stable as the spatial artifacts like Storage Bags, but it was cheap.

As for Storage Bags, Wu Tao was still saving Spirit Stones for those; that would likely be a long time from now.

Arriving at the market, he first needed to go to the Market Rental Office to rent a stall. Ever since he obtained his Artifact Refiner Certificate, Wu Tao noticed that the staff at these offices seemed to have become a bit more polite.

The Four Arts of Cultivation were indeed highly valued.

He arrived at his rented stall in District Yi, set it up, displaying about ten Magic Robes. Most were Small Spirit Shield Robes, while the Wind-Speed Magic Robes were made from leftover scraps.

He had been refining Small Spirit Shield Robes for three months straight and had long since mastered the process, no longer failing.

Of course, his overall cultivation had also improved, significantly shortening the refining speed and recovery time.

Now, he set up his stall once a month. Small Spirit Shield Robes were very popular among Loose Cultivators, and they usually sold out by closing time.

After greeting the stall owners on either side, Wu Tao sat on a small, self-made stool, waiting for Loose Cultivators to approach.

About ten minutes later, a Loose Cultivator came up to inquire about prices.

Wu Tao quickly greeted him enthusiastically, saying, "Fellow Daoist, the First-Grade Level Two Gale Robe and the Tier 1 Level 3 Small Spirit Shield Robe are both essential items. Which one do you desire?"

"How much for the Small Spirit Shield Robe?"

"Forty-two!"

"Forty-two, that's a bit expensive!"

At this point, Wu Tao would immediately present his Artifact Refiner Certificate to the Loose Cultivator and say, "Fellow Daoist, please take a look. This is a certificate from the Five Spring Artifact Refining Hall. Without an Artifact Refiner Certificate, I imagine you wouldn't feel at ease using it."

"Although it's a bit expensive, buying from me has another benefit. If it breaks within a month, bring it back, and I guarantee I'll fix it for you."

With the one-month warranty strategy, most Loose Cultivators were willing to buy forty-two Low-Grade Spirit Stones, even feeling like they got a good deal. This Loose Cultivator was no exception.

In the span of one morning, Wu Tao sold half of his robes. The spirit stones poured in, making the stall owners on either side incredibly envious. But envy was envy; the path of the Four Arts of Cultivation wasn't something one could just embark on.

Otherwise, Artifact Masters, Alchemists, Talisman Makers, and Formation Masters wouldn't be so sought after.

In the afternoon.

An old customer arrived.

"Fellow Daoist Li," Wu Tao greeted the tall Loose Cultivator.

Li Yuanfeng took out the Small Spirit Shield Robe and said, "Artifact Master Li, please help me repair this robe. I was hit by a demonic beast, and the internal restriction activated. It doesn't seem as smooth anymore."

Wu Tao understood. It was like a slow startup.

He took the robe and smiled, "Fellow Daoist Li, rest assured. Give me two days, and I will definitely fix it for you. By the way, Fellow Daoist Li, can you go out less often? The immortal path values life. Earning a little less spirit stones is also good."

Li Yuanfeng was an Adventurer who often went out of the city to hunt demonic beasts. He heard Wu Tao's words and said with a wry smile, "Artifact Master Li, I understand what you mean, but there's no other way. We don't have any other talents, so we can only hunt demonic beasts to earn spirit stones. You know, my son was blessed with the talent for drawing talismans, so I have to support him in drawing talismans, right?!"

"But speaking of which, thanks to Artifact Master Li's robes, I probably would have met my end in the wilderness."

Wu Tao comforted him, "The Four Arts of Cultivation are all built with resources. But, it's bitter first, then sweet. When your son becomes a Talisman Maker in the future, you can enjoy the fruits of his labor."

"I'm just waiting for that day."

Li Yuanfeng chatted for a while and said he would introduce customers to Wu Tao. Wu Tao thanked him repeatedly, and then Li Yuanfeng left.

Soon, it was time to close the market. Wu Tao had only one Gale Robe left unsold; all other robes were sold.

The total income was six hundred and fifty-six Low-Grade Spirit Stones. Without the Artifact Refiner Certificate, he would have to pay taxes of sixty-five Low-Grade Spirit Stones. Now, with the certificate, it was reduced by 20%, and he only needed to pay fifty-two Low-Grade Spirit Stones.

Wu Tao could be considered someone who earned over six Mid-Grade Spirit Stones a month.

He seemed quite well-off.

But when he calculated it, the Medicinal Bath required three Mid-Grade Spirit Stones, the Qi Condensation Pill cost one Mid-Grade Spirit Stone, and the refining cost was also one Mid-Grade Spirit Stone. After all these expenses, he was left with just over one Mid-Grade Spirit Stone.

Excluding rent, food, and the Formation Practice Board, he could only save a little over fifty Low-Grade Spirit Stones per month.

If he wanted to buy a Storage Bag, the road ahead was long.

Calculating this, Wu Tao left the Market and prepared to go home. Every time he returned, he was especially careful, taking several extra alleys. Only when there was no one around would he turn towards his home on Sincere Tea Street.

But this time, a footsteps sound had been trailing him.

Wu Tao frowned. It seemed he was being targeted.

He had always acted discreetly and never offended anyone. Without any grudges, why would he be targeted?

"Fellow Daoist, please stop!"

Wu Tao's heart skipped a beat. Hearing the malicious voice behind him, he knew the reason the other party called out to him at this moment was because this was a Secluded Alley. Even if he were killed, no one would know.

"Fellow Daoist, please turn around. Don't force me to act," the person threatened again.

Wu Tao slowly turned around and looked at the other person. The other person was wearing gray clothes and was not tall. Seeing him turn, the Gray-Clothed Loose Cultivator said, "Fellow Daoist, don't be afraid. I'm after wealth, I don't want your life. As long as you obediently hand over your Spirit Stones, I'll let you go."

He added, "Fellow Daoist, don't try any tricks. I've been watching you for many days. You're an Artifact Refiner, right? You only know how to refine Small Spirit Shield Robes and Wind-Speed Magic Robes. Don't think about escaping or resisting. I have a Godly Travel Talisman, you can't get away."

"Moreover, you're a lone cultivator. At your age, just studying artifact refining is enough to occupy your time. It's clear you don't have time to practice Combat Spells. So, please hand over your Spirit Stones."

The Gray-Clothed Loose Cultivator had a smug expression.

Wu Tao's face showed regret. Everything he said was spot on. He quickly activated his survival instincts and said, "Fellow Daoist, do you keep your word? You'll only take the Spirit Stones and not harm my life?"

"Of course!" The Gray-Clothed Loose Cultivator planned to keep Wu Tao alive and rob him from time to time.

"Good! Spirit Stones, I'll give them to you!" Wu Tao took off his Spirit Stone Bag and threw it at the Gray-Clothed Loose Cultivator. The Gray-Clothed Loose Cultivator's face showed a satisfied smile. He reached out to catch the Spirit Stone Bag...

At that moment, Wu Tao activated his Small Spirit Shield Robe and Wind-Speed Magic Robe, leaped forward, and charged towards the Gray-Clothed Loose Cultivator.

Sensing Wu Tao's aura, the Gray-Clothed Loose Cultivator's lips revealed a hint of mockery. "Second Level of Qi Refining? Overestimating yourself!" With that, he revealed his cultivation of the Fourth Level of Qi Refining.

"Wind and Thunder!"

Within ten meters.

Wu Tao activated a Disposable Storage Talisman, and the Three-Pointed Great Spear was instantly in his hand. He unleashed the Wind and Thunder Form ferociously.

The spear tip was accompanied by wind and thunder, its speed like wind and thunder, appearing suddenly.

"What?"

The Gray-Clothed Loose Cultivator's pupils constricted. He saw a great spear thrusting towards his chest with unstoppable force. It was too late. In the span of a breath, his face flashed with regret, surprise, fear, and other complex emotions.

Then, with a loud bang, spiritual energy and qi and blood power exploded in the Gray-Clothed Loose Cultivator's chest. From a point to a surface, his entire body exploded with a bang.

Rain of blood, torn flesh, and severed limbs stained the Secluded Alley.