Recruitment

Wu Tao walked down the street, passing through three checkpoints before entering the market area.

Although more than a month had passed, Five Spring Mountain and Guidao Sect hadn't actually gone to war, but the patrol teams and the Demon Slaying Hall were still searching the outer city for Devilish Cultivators of Guidao Sect.

From this situation, it seemed they hadn't given up on the idea of conflict.

Some Loose Cultivators felt that war wouldn't break out. The immortal path valued life, especially for behemoths like Five Spring Mountain and Guidao Sect. Their cultivators cherished their lives; otherwise, how could they cultivate and seek longevity?

But these Loose Cultivators might not have considered what would happen if greater interests were involved, requiring a battle for allocation and possession.

Regardless, Wu Tao felt it was best to remain cautious and vigilant.

If the outer city became chaotic, he would move to the inner city.

After all, the inner city was guarded by Foundation Establishment Cultivators of Five Spring Mountain, making it much safer than the outer city. The rent was worlds apart, but life was the most precious thing.

However, it was worth mentioning that with the high-intensity patrols by the patrol teams and the Demon Slaying Hall, the Loose Cultivators were very restrained. At least, they didn't reveal the darker side of human nature, and the environment remained relatively orderly. The occasional death of a Loose Cultivator was usually due to deep-seated hatred.

Otherwise, Loose Cultivators wouldn't take such risks; if any trace was left and discovered, the loss would outweigh the gain.

Wu Tao was a low-key person and never offended anyone. In this environment, no one paid him any special attention.

He arrived at Shopkeeper Yu's artifact refining material shop. The shop was still bustling, and he had hired two Loose Cultivators at a cheap price to help.

Wu Tao noticed that the worse the times, the cheaper labor became. Everything else soared, but labor costs didn't.

But in such times, merely surviving was a blessing. Where was the right to bargain? One could only work harder to avoid being fired and losing their livelihood.

"This blood-sucking era... How can Loose Cultivators develop? The more they work, the stronger the Major Cultivation Sects that possess resources become. This is a vicious cycle."

Wu Tao sighed inwardly, and his mind couldn't help but recall Wu Zhongxing. He felt that the path Wu Zhongxing had chosen was extremely difficult and might not end well.

Pushing aside distractions, Wu Tao found the busy Shopkeeper Yu.

Upon seeing Wu Tao, Shopkeeper Yu put down his work and smiled, "Artifact Master Li has arrived."

After exchanging greetings, he led Wu Tao aside to hand over the goods. This time, it was still ten Spirit-Absorbing Robes and ten Small Spirit Shield Robes.

After the delivery, Shopkeeper Yu paid Wu Tao the spirit stones on the spot. After deducting taxes, the total was thirteen Mid-Grade Spirit Stones and six Low-Grade Spirit Stones. The tax included a ten percent transaction tax. Furthermore, because he had an Artifact Refiner Certificate, two percent was waived, so he only needed to pay one hundred and fourteen Low-Grade Spirit Stones.

When Shopkeeper Yu sold the robes, another transaction tax was generated. However, because it was a shop, the tax rate was different from that of an individual.

In short, Five Spring Mountain profited from both ends, which was why Five Spring Mountain was becoming increasingly powerful.

Last month, Wu Tao earned over twenty-four Mid-Grade Spirit Stones. Adding the earnings from the past half-month, and after deducting rent and miscellaneous living expenses for the past month and a half, his net worth had reached thirty-six Mid-Grade Spirit Stones.

He had previously checked; a storage bag of one cubic unit cost twenty Mid-Grade Spirit Stones, and the price doubled for larger volumes.

It was more expensive than a Tier 1 Advanced Magic Tool.

Indeed, storage-function magic tools are difficult to refine and require precious spirit materials, so their prices are naturally high.

Moreover, its attributes also provide bonuses. In the cultivation world, cultivators all value an ethereal aura. If they walk around laden with bags, how can they appear ethereal?

Wu Tao could afford it now, but after thinking about it, he decided not to buy a storage bag for the time being. The main reason was that the current situation was too chaotic. A storage bag wouldn't give him a sense of security. It might even attract covetous eyes because it was too conspicuous.

Furthermore, his cultivation was too low. If he attracted covetous eyes, wouldn't he just become a walking treasure chest for others?

It would be better to go buy some high-level life-saving items first.

For example, talismans, which don't have high cultivation requirements.

After making up his mind, Wu Tao took out his spirit stones. Just then, Jin Ke also arrived to escort him home.

Shopkeeper Yu, however, stopped him and said, "Artifact Master Li, don't rush off. I have some very important news. Let's go to the tea room to talk."

Hearing that it was important news, Wu Tao followed Shopkeeper Yu to the tea room. They sat opposite each other, and as the aroma of tea wafted, after drinking a cup, Shopkeeper Yu finally said, "Artifact Master Li, the Artifact Refiner Examination Branch set up at Five Spring Mountain on Fragrant Spring Road is currently recruiting loose cultivator artifact refiners. The requirement is to be able to refine First-Rank Level 4 magic tools. I think you should give it a try."

Wu Tao quickly caught the subtle meaning in Shopkeeper Yu's words and asked, "Shopkeeper Yu, is Five Spring Mountain going to officially declare war on the Ghost Dao Sect?"

Shopkeeper Yu nodded. "That's right. The news I received is that Five Spring Mountain will officially declare war on the Ghost Dao Sect within three to five days at most. At that time, the cultivators of Five Spring Mountain will likely be busy with the war. This West Outer City will definitely not have security guarantees, and it will inevitably descend into chaos, breeding all sorts of demons and monsters."

"Starting tomorrow, I will also be moving to the Inner City. Once the war breaks out in the outer city, I don't know how many rogue cultivators will suffer."

Speaking of this, Shopkeeper Yu sighed and said to Wu Tao, "Artifact Master Li, once the war begins, First-Rank Intermediate artifact refiners will be extremely needed by Five Spring Mountain. According to the news I heard, starting today, they will be recruiting loose cultivator artifact refiners from among the rogue cultivators. Let's not talk about the rewards for now. The main thing is that the artifact refiners will be stationed in the rear, and even if the war is fierce, they won't be affected."

"Unless Five Spring Mountain is annihilated, but such a behemoth cannot be annihilated."

"Therefore, I suggest you answer the call, Artifact Master Li. Your life will definitely be protected then."

Wu Tao was deeply moved. He stood up, bowed, and cupped his hands. "Shopkeeper Yu, this news is equivalent to saving my life. I will repay this kindness in the future."

Shopkeeper Yu placed his hands on Wu Tao's and said frankly, "Artifact Master Li, I am a businessman. Everything I do is for future returns. So, Artifact Master Li, if you achieve success in the future, don't forget about me."

"I wouldn't dare!" Wu Tao said earnestly.

Next, the two discussed cooperation matters. Shopkeeper Yu was moving to the Inner City for protection from his backers, while Wu Tao was going to answer the call for Five Spring Mountain's artifact refiners. Their cooperation on magic robes would naturally not continue. They then drew up a new contract, agreeing to cooperate again after the war was over.

"Artifact Master Li, there's no time to delay. I'll have Fellow Daoist Jin escort you to Fragrant Spring Road," Shopkeeper Yu said.

Wu Tao cupped his hands. "Thank you for the trouble!"

Leaving Shopkeeper Yu's spirit material shop, Jin Ke walked beside him.

For over a month, people had been saying war was coming, but it never happened. Both sides seemed to be at peace. But now, suddenly, war was about to break out.

It was estimated that many rogue cultivators would be caught off guard by this sudden change.

But Wu Tao couldn't spread this news, unless he wanted to die.

"In this world, one can only seek blessings for oneself."

Sighing inwardly, Wu Tao headed straight for Fragrant Spring Road. As Shopkeeper Yu had said, war was no small matter. Once the two sides engaged in battle, rogue cultivators caught in such a tide would have no ability to resist.

Working for Five Spring Mountain, staying safely in the rear, and preserving one's life was the king's way.