Crisis (Please Follow)

They were neither strangers nor devilish cultivators.

Wu Tao's heart finally settled completely. He did not dare delay and immediately opened the door.

When the door opened, before the Demon Slaying Hall cultivator could speak, one of the Patrol Squad cultivators said in displeasure, "Why did you take so long to open the door? Do you know how much work we still have to do?"

Wu Tao's expression stiffened, but considering the other party's status, he could only force a smile and say, "My apologies, my lords. I was cultivating just now and may have been a little slow. Please forgive me!"

The Patrol Squad member was about to say more when he heard the Demon Slaying Hall cultivator snort coldly. He immediately smiled awkwardly and did not dare speak further.

The Demon Slaying Hall cultivator said to Wu Tao, "Fellow Daoist, we are searching for devilish cultivators. Please present your rental contract, or some other document that can prove your identity."

So this was the difference between permanent staff and temporary workers... Wu Tao grumbled inwardly, then quickly said, "Of course. Please wait a moment, sir."

He hurriedly fetched the rental contract he had signed with the Brokerage Agency. After thinking it over, he also brought his Artifact Refiner Certificate from the Five Spring Artifact Refining Hall and handed them both to the Demon Slaying Hall cultivator for inspection.

The Demon Slaying Hall cultivator checked the rental contract from the Brokerage Agency and confirmed it was valid. When he saw the Artifact Refiner Certificate, the severity on his face seemed to soften. He returned both documents to Wu Tao and said, "Fellow Daoist Li, keep these safe. Ling Tian, Zhu Quan, get to work..."

Wu Tao accepted them.

Zhu Quan was the Patrol Squad member who had given Wu Tao an unfriendly look. He sensed that the Demon Slaying Hall cultivator's attitude toward Wu Tao had seemingly improved, and inwardly found it strange. But since he had been called upon to work, he could only get on with it first.

Zhu Quan took out the Evil-Expelling Treasure Mirror and shone it over Wu Tao from head to toe, then went inside to scan his room as well. After coming out, he said to the Demon Slaying Hall cultivator, "Sir, everything is normal."

Ling Tian stepped before Wu Tao, cupped his hands, and said, "Fellow Daoist Li, my apologies."

Having said that, he reached out. Wu Tao's heart jolted, and he nearly activated the Disposable Storage Talisman at his waist to draw his spear. But Ling Tian merely lightly pinched his cheeks, nose, and chin before releasing him. He then said to the Demon Slaying Hall cultivator, "Sir, there are no signs of disguise, nor any spell concealing his appearance."

Wu Tao let out a breath of relief and thought, Nonsense. This face is all original. I've never had any hyaluronic acid injections.

Seeing that there was no issue, the Demon Slaying Hall cultivator looked at Wu Tao and said, "All right, Fellow Daoist Li. You may return inside. In the near future, if there is no pressing matter, do not leave the West Outer City."

Wu Tao's favorability toward this Demon Slaying Hall cultivator rose by one. He cupped his hands in thanks. "Thank you for the reminder, sir."

Then the Demon Slaying Hall cultivator departed with the two Patrol Squad members.

Wu Tao did not watch them leave. He went straight back inside, muttering, "Logically speaking, I only have a First-Rank Junior Artifact Refiner Certificate, that of a First-Rank Rogue Artifact Refiner. The Demon Slaying Hall belongs to Five Spring Mountain's orthodox line, and even ordinary disciples are not as prestigious as its people. Why did that Demon Slaying Hall cultivator suddenly treat me better after seeing my Artifact Refiner Certificate? He even gave me a subtle warning before leaving?"

Unable to figure it out, Wu Tao simply stopped thinking about it. But the Demon Slaying Hall's actions undoubtedly confirmed that the situation between Five Spring Mountain and Ghost Dao Sect had grown tense.

Ghost Dao Sect excelled at concealment and had surely planted many spies within Five Spring Mountain. As an important cultivation city of Five Spring Mountain, and a cash cow that harvested Rogue Cultivators, Five Spirits Cultivation City naturally would not be overlooked by Ghost Dao Sect.

With a great battle imminent, the Demon Slaying Hall naturally had to intensify its search for Ghost Dao Sect's hidden devilish cultivators, lest the backyard catch fire.

Ten days later.

Wu Tao stayed home for ten days without stepping outside even once.

He had agreed with Shopkeeper Yu that he would first deliver a batch of goods to his shop after ten days. Today was the day of delivery.

Over these ten days, his strength had improved somewhat as well.

[Cultivation Technique: Three Yang Technique: Qi Refining Chapter (Third Layer): 5%]

[Secondary Profession · Body Cultivator: Dragon Spear Body Tempering Art: Flesh Refining (57%), Dragon Spear · Fire Sweep Proficiency (38%), Dragon Spear · Wind and Thunder Proficiency (49%)]

The Sanyang Technique had advanced by 3 percent over ten days. That meant 9 percent in a month. In other words, with another year, he could break through to the Fourth Level of Qi Refining.

As the Body Tempering Art progressed, it would absorb Spiritual Power faster and faster.

He had previously calculated that it would take three years to raise his cultivation by one layer. Yet because the Body Tempering Art had improved his physique, he could actually break through one layer per year.

By that calculation,

"I'll be able to reach Foundation Establishment at thirty-two!"

Wu Tao felt his confidence surge.

A daily medicinal bath could raise the Body Tempering Art by one point of progress, while Fire Sweep and Wind and Thunder were also making steady improvement.

"If only there were no war!"

Wu Tao sighed, brought his Magic Robes with him, and headed outside.

The moment he stepped out, he discovered that the world had changed drastically.

The passing Rogue Cultivators all hurried along with anxious expressions. At every street entrance, Patrol Squad members were stationed there, and every Rogue Cultivator passing through had to produce a rental contract as proof.

Those with documentation were permitted through. Those without it were taken away by the Patrol Squad.

At the sound of wind, the crane cried in alarm.

"Storm clouds are gathering!"

Wu Tao sighed inwardly, took back his rental contract from the Patrol Squad, and headed toward the Marketplace.

Along the way, he encountered three separate rounds of inspections for rental contract documents.

At the market entrance, it was not only Patrol Squad members conducting inspections. Cultivators wearing Demon Slaying Hall uniforms stood to one side as well. The people waiting in line were silent as cicadas in winter, not daring to even breathe loudly.

After entering the Marketplace, Wu Tao passed several stalls, and his expression immediately turned ugly.

He had long expected prices to rise, but the fact that they had multiplied in just ten days still left him speechless.

"Unlike my previous life, where there was still regulation. Here, every Wuquan Mountain Disciple wishes they could personally jump in and make a fortune. Of those who dared raise prices because they had supplies, which one did not have Five Spring Mountain lurking behind them?"

Under the rule of the Immortal Sect, human lives were worth less than grass!

Wu Tao walked on by himself, unaware that someone behind him had spotted his back. A strange glint flashed through that person's eyes before he quickly turned and disappeared without a trace.

This man dressed as a Rogue Cultivator soon arrived at a residence and lightly knocked on the door.

Before long, a short cultivator opened it.

"President Fang."

"Come in and speak."

"President Fang, Li Mo has come out!"

"He finally came out? Ten days have passed. I thought you would hide like a turtle and never leave your shell... Hmph. The Marketplace is starting to descend into chaos now. Someone died in New Virtue Alley last time, supposedly killed by a devilish cultivator."

"The Patrol Squad and Demon Slaying Hall investigated for a long time but never found any trace of the devilish cultivator."

Fang Ming's face darkened, murderous intent brewing in his gaze.

"Artifact Master Li, you're here!" When Shopkeeper Yu saw Wu Tao, he immediately welcomed him inside with a broad smile.

Wu Tao glanced at Shopkeeper Yu's shelves. Magic Tools were displayed one after another, and hired Rogue Cultivators were selling them. The Rogue Cultivators buying Magic Tools all wore bitter expressions; despite the sky-high prices, they had no choice but to buy.

When Wu Tao saw the prices, he was stunned. A First-Rank Level 4 Magic Tool that had originally cost One Mid-Grade Spirit Stone was now marked at Two Mid-Grade Spirit Stones.

That was truly black-hearted.

Retracting his gaze, Wu Tao said to Shopkeeper Yu, "Shopkeeper Yu, I've come to deliver the goods."

"Ten Spirit-Absorbing Robes and ten Small Spirit Shield Robes. They have all been tested, but please inspect them carefully again." Wu Tao placed the Magic Robes on the table and spoke to Shopkeeper Yu.

Shopkeeper Yu smiled. "No need. I trust Artifact Master Li."

Wu Tao had advanced fifteen Mid-Grade Spirit Stones from Shopkeeper Yu. After delivering this batch, Wu Tao still owed Shopkeeper Yu eighty Low-Grade Spirit Stones.

Once the Magic Robes had been handed over, disorder was already beginning to show outside. Although Five Spring Mountain and Ghost Dao Sect had not yet truly begun fighting, the calm before the storm was enough to make any bottom-tier Rogue Cultivator feel suffocated.

Therefore, Wu Tao did not linger and took his leave.

Shopkeeper Yu stopped him. "Fellow Daoist Li, wait. Things are starting to get chaotic outside, and it is not very safe. I'll have someone escort you home."

Very soon, Shopkeeper Yu called over a middle-aged cultivator and introduced him. "This is Fellow Daoist Jin, at Qi Refining Layer 7. Fellow Daoist Jin, please escort Artifact Master Li home."

Fellow Daoist Jin nodded. "Leave it to me. I'll make sure Artifact Master Li gets home safely."

"Thank you, Shopkeeper Yu." Wu Tao sincerely thanked Shopkeeper Yu, then thanked Fellow Daoist Jin as well.

"I'll have to trouble you, Senior Jin."

Thank you to Dada Tu Zi for the 600 Origin Coin donation. Thank you to Wen Lan Ben for the monthly vote. The story is currently in its recommendation period, so please make sure to keep following. Last time, it nearly missed a recommendation slot by just over a dozen follow-ups. Fortunately, I made a single-chapter plea, and all you generous readers came through and made up the difference, earning it a client recommendation. This book is not a high-concept novelty story, and its fast pace is not much of an advantage, so please, everyone, do not stockpile chapters... I beg you!