Recruitment

Wu Tao walked along the street, passing through three rounds of inspections before entering the Marketplace district.

Though over a month had passed and Five Spring Mountain and Ghost Dao Sect had yet to truly come to blows, members of the Patrol Squad and Demon Slaying Hall were still searching the Outer City for Devilish Cultivators of Ghost Dao Sect.

From the look of things, neither side had any intention of abandoning the prospect of war.

Some Rogue Cultivators believed there would be no war. The Immortal Dao prized life; much less would colossal entities like Five Spring Mountain and Ghost Dao Sect be willing to fight. Their cultivators cherished their lives all the more—otherwise, how could they cultivate in pursuit of immortality?

But perhaps those Rogue Cultivators had not considered that there might be an even greater benefit at stake, one that could only be divided and claimed through war.

No matter what, Wu Tao felt that he still needed to remain cautious and vigilant.

If the Outer City descended into chaos, he would move to the Inner City.

After all, Foundation Establishment Cultivators of Five Spring Mountain guarded the Inner City. It was far safer than the Outer City. Though the rent was worlds apart, life was the most precious thing.

Still, it was worth mentioning that with the Patrol Squad and Demon Slaying Hall maintaining such intense patrols, the Rogue Cultivators were very restrained. At the very least, they did not reveal the ugly side of human nature. The environment remained relatively orderly. The occasional death of one or two Rogue Cultivators was usually due to blood-deep grudges and the like.

Otherwise, Rogue Cultivators would not risk it. Should they leave behind even the faintest trace and be discovered in an investigation, the loss would outweigh the gain.

Wu Tao kept a low profile and never offended anyone. In such an environment, naturally no one paid him any special attention.

When he arrived at Shopkeeper Yu's Spirit Material Shop, business was still booming. He had even hired another two Rogue Cultivators at cheap rates to help out.

Wu Tao discovered that the more disastrous and troubled the times, the cheaper labor became. Everything else shot up in price, yet wages never rose.

But in times like these, surviving was already fortunate enough. Where was there any right to bargain? One could only work harder to avoid being dismissed and losing one's rice bowl.

"This blood-sucking world... How can Rogue Cultivators possibly develop? The harder they work, the stronger those Major Cultivation Sects that possess the resources become. This is already a dead cycle."

Wu Tao sighed inwardly. Wu Zhongxing came to mind, and he felt that the road Wu Zhongxing had chosen was exceptionally difficult. Perhaps he would not meet a good end.

Casting aside his distractions, Wu Tao found Shopkeeper Yu, who was busy at work.

Seeing Wu Tao arrive, Shopkeeper Yu set down his work and smiled. "Artifact Master Li is here."

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

Once the delivery was complete, Shopkeeper Yu paid Wu Tao in Spirit Stones on the spot. After deducting the taxes, it came to a total of thirteen Mid-Grade Spirit Stones and six Low-Grade Spirit Stones. The tax was a ten-percent transaction tax, but because he possessed an Artifact Refiner Certificate, he received a twenty-percent reduction and only needed to pay one hundred and fourteen Low-Grade Spirit Stones.

When Shopkeeper Yu sold the Magic Robes, another transaction tax would be incurred. However, as a shop, his tax rate differed from that of an individual.

In short, Five Spring Mountain ate from both ends. That was why Five Spring Mountain kept growing stronger.

Last month, Wu Tao had earned more than twenty-four Mid-Grade Spirit Stones. Adding this past half month's earnings, and subtracting the rent and living expenses for the past month and a half, he now possessed thirty-six Mid-Grade Spirit Stones.

He had checked before. A one-cubic Storage Bag cost twenty Mid-Grade Spirit Stones, and for each additional cubic unit, the price doubled.

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

That made sense. Storage-type Magic Tools were difficult to refine, and the Spiritual Materials they required were also precious. Naturally, their prices were exorbitant.

Moreover, they enhanced one's bearing. In the cultivation world, cultivators all cared about looking immortal and ethereal. If they walked around carrying great bundles and small packages, how could they possibly look immortal and ethereal?

Wu Tao could afford one now, but after considering it, he decided not to buy a Storage Bag for the time being. The situation was simply too chaotic. A Storage Bag could not give him any sense of security. It might even draw covetous eyes because it was too conspicuous.

Besides, his cultivation was too low. If someone set their sights on him, would he not become a boy delivering wealth?

It would be better to buy some higher-grade life-saving items first.

For example, Talismans and the like, which did not place high demands on cultivation.

Having thought it through, Wu Tao took the Spirit Stones. At that moment, Jin Ke also arrived to escort him home.

Yet Shopkeeper Yu stopped him. "Artifact Master Li, don't be in such a hurry to leave. There is some very important news. Let's speak in the Tea Room."

Hearing that it was important news, Wu Tao followed Shopkeeper Yu to the Tea Room. They sat facing each other. The fragrance of tea curled through the air. After drinking a cup, Shopkeeper Yu finally said, "Artifact Master Li, the Artifact Refiner Examination Branch established by Five Spring Mountain on Fragrant Spring Road is recruiting Loose Cultivator Artifact Refiners. The requirement is the ability to refine First-Rank Level 4 Magic Tools. I think Artifact Master Li should give it a try."

Wu Tao quickly detected a thought-provoking undertone in Shopkeeper Yu's words. He asked, "Shopkeeper Yu, is Five Spring Mountain going to formally wage war against Ghost Dao Sect?"

Shopkeeper Yu nodded. "That is correct. The news I received says so. Within three to five days at most, Five Spring Mountain will formally go to war with Ghost Dao Sect. At that time, Five Spring Mountain's cultivators may all be occupied with the war. This West Outer City certainly will not receive any security guarantees. When the time comes, chaos will inevitably break out, and every kind of demon and monster will breed."

"Starting tomorrow, I will also move to the Inner City. Once war reaches the Outer City, who knows how many Rogue Cultivators will suffer calamity?"

At this point, Shopkeeper Yu sighed and said to Wu Tao, "Artifact Master Li, once war begins, even first-rank intermediate Artifact Refiners will be greatly needed by Five Spring Mountain. According to what I heard, starting today, they will recruit Loose Cultivator Artifact Refiners among the Rogue Cultivators. Never mind the remuneration for now. The main thing is that Artifact Refiners remain in the rear. No matter how fierce the war becomes, they will not be affected."

"Unless Five Spring Mountain is destroyed. But such a colossal entity cannot possibly be destroyed."

"Therefore, I advise Artifact Master Li to answer the call. Your life will certainly receive protection then."

Wu Tao was deeply moved. He rose to his feet and bowed with cupped hands. "Shopkeeper Yu, this news of yours is equivalent to saving my life. I will surely repay such kindness someday."

Shopkeeper Yu held up Wu Tao's hands with both of his own. He was straightforward as ever. "Artifact Master Li, Yu is a merchant. Everything I have done is for the sake of receiving returns in the future. So, Artifact Master Li, if you rise to prominence someday, do not forget Yu."

"I would not dare," Wu Tao said solemnly.

Next, the two discussed their future cooperation. Shopkeeper Yu was moving to the Inner City to seek the protection of the person behind him, while Wu Tao was going to answer Five Spring Mountain's recruitment of Artifact Refiners. Their cooperation over the Magic Robes naturally could not continue. They drew up a new agreement: once this war had passed, they would cooperate again.

"Artifact Master Li, time waits for no one. 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."

When he left Shopkeeper Yu's Spirit Material Shop, Jin Ke followed at his side.

For over a month, everyone had said war was about to break out, yet it never had. The two sides had seemed to coexist in peace. But now, all of a sudden, they were going to fight.

It was likely that many Rogue Cultivators would be caught completely off guard by this abrupt change.

But Wu Tao could not possibly spread this news, unless he wanted to die.

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

With a sigh inwardly, Wu Tao headed straight for Fragrant Spring Road. Just as Shopkeeper Yu had said, war was no trivial matter. Once the two sides clashed, rogue cultivators swept up in such a great tide would have no ability to resist whatsoever.

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