Opportunity

Inside the artifact refining room.

By the fourth day, the basic training was already complete, and the actual refining matters began.

These rogue cultivators only needed to smelt one kind of iron ore spiritual material, black essence iron, every day. They only did some simple work, smelting the black essence iron out of the iron ore, and it had to reach a purity of ninety percent.

Black essence iron was a first-rank level 8 spiritual material, and with their artifact refining strength, they simply could not refine it into a magic tool.

Yet they only did preliminary processing work, which was what they were capable of doing.

Wu Tao actually had a guess long ago; they definitely would not let the loose cultivator artifact refiners master the core things, and this kind of spiritual material processing work was the most marginal labor.

To call it simple, it was actually not simple.

If the purity failed to reach ninety percent, it was unqualified.

Each of them needed to smelt thirty catties of black essence iron per day.

These past few days, Wu Tao smelted iron ore every single day, extracting black essence iron. With his artifact refining technique, he could bring the black essence iron's purity to ninety-five percent, and with more familiarity, reaching one hundred percent was entirely possible.

However, Wu Tao did not do that. He had always upheld a low-profile style of conduct.

Moreover, if they said thirty catties a day, it was thirty catties. Wu Tao did not produce a single catty more, and he precisely controlled his scrap rate within the permitted limit.

He heard that in the neighboring artifact refining room, there was a loose cultivator artifact refiner who thought his talent was astonishing and smelted forty catties of black essence iron every day. When the first-rank level 7 artifact refiner in charge of that artifact refining room saw this, heh, looks like your limit is far beyond this, and consequently demanded that every loose cultivator artifact refiner must meet the standard of forty catties daily, forcing them to work overtime to churn it out if they fell short.

Because of this, that person in charge won the praise of the Five Spring Artifact Refining Hall.

However, it miserable for the artifact refiner of that artifact refining room. The work that was originally four hours turned into five or even six hours.

Therefore, during an outing to stroll the streets and eat a meal, that astonishingly talented loose cultivator artifact refiner offended goodness-knows-who and was beaten to death in a restaurant.

This incident also sounded the alarm for Wu Tao.

Immortal cultivators, though called immortals, were actually no different from ordinary people. Human nature was complex and could not fail to be guarded against.

Inside the artifact refining room, Chen Shan did not need to smelt and extract. He only needed to supervise the loose cultivator artifact refiners while they smelted and extracted, or offer pointers when their steps lacked rigor or the starfire stone temperature was insufficient.

When it all came down to it, it was just the job of a taskmaster.

Fortunately, Chen Shan truly lived up to his name; his demeanor was filled with kindness everywhere. When a loose cultivator artifact refiner made a mistake leading to ruined ore, he did not fly into a great rage, but instead patiently explained the points where the process needed improvement once again.

Chen Shan walked over to the third refining station and said to that loose cultivator artifact refiner: "The flame temperature is not enough, add another starfire stone down below."

That loose cultivator artifact refiner offered words of thanks, hurriedly added a starfire stone, and discovered after adding it that the smelting indeed went much smoother, feeling endlessly grateful to Chen Shan once more.

Having a person in charge like this, the loose cultivator artifact refiners present all felt fortunate.

Wu Tao did not look at Chen Shan, but instead meticulously smelted the ore and extracted the black essence iron. At this time, Chen Shan walked over to his side, watched Wu Tao smelt for a moment, and then continued on to check the next refining station.

Time passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, it was time to knock off work.

"Today's smelting ends here. You all did well, and everyone met the standard." After Chen Shan finished speaking, he let everyone disperse. Chen Shan generally did not disturb their personal time.

"Li Mo, Zhu Xu, let's go. I found a good place that is beneficial for our cultivation," Tong Mingyuan said loudly.

Zhu Xu said: "What on earth is the matter? I still have to go back and cultivate."

Wu Tao waved his hand, indicating that he also wanted to go back to cultivate and did not wish to join Tong Mingyuan's gathering.

Tong Mingyuan and Zhu Xu were the two loose cultivator artifact refiners he got along with best after meeting them here. Zhu Xu's personality was relatively introverted, while Tong Mingyuan was free-spirited and unrestrained, always running out to seek fun things every three to five days.

Tong Mingyuan said softly: "I'm telling you guys, that place is truly a good place. It can increase cultivation."

There was even such a good thing?

As soon as Wu Tao and Zhu Xu heard this, they temporarily decided to go with Tong Mingyuan.

Half an hour later.

Wu Tao and Zhu Xu raised their heads to look at the three large characters 'Hundred Flower Pavilion'. By the railing, one pretty and scantily clad female cultivator after another leaned against the banister, casting captivating glances about.

The air itself was filled with a joyful flavor.

"This is what you spoke of? Are you talking nonsense? This place, can it fucking increase cultivation? That's draining vital energy." Zhu Xu turned around and prepared to leave.

Wu Tao hesitated somewhat. Since they had already come, he would just treat it as relaxing for a bit.

Tong Mingyuan grabbed Zhu Xu and said: "You bumpkin, you haven't seen the world. Do you think the Hundred Flower Pavilion in the inner city is the same as those low-class places on Luoma Street? Come, after you go inside and experience it later, you'll know I'm definitely not hoodwinking you."

With that, he draped an arm around the shoulders of both Wu Tao and Zhu Xu, entering the Hundred Flower Pavilion.

Upon entering, a madam came up to greet them: "Artifact Refiner Tong, you've arrived. Oh, and you brought two friends along. What attribute cultivation techniques do these two friends practice?"

Hearing this, the expressions of both Wu Tao and Zhu Xu changed. How could anyone ask about what attribute cultivation technique another person practiced? Wasn't this stripping away their bottom line?

Seeing this, Tong Mingyuan quickly said: "Don't be upset, I forgot to tell you guys. Go call three fairies over, prepare a table of wine and food, open a room, and then all three fairies must be wood attribute."

With that, Tong Mingyuan pulled Wu Tao and Zhu Xu into a room, sat at the table, and drank wine.

Before long, three female cultivators walked in. By this time, Wu Tao and Zhu Xu had also calmed their anger, each 'reluctantly' accepting a female cultivator pouring wine for them.

An hour later, the three of them emerged from the Hundred Flower Pavilion with glowing, flushed faces.

Upon seeing Tong Mingyuan again, Zhu Xu's face flashed with a look of guilt, and he sincerely apologized to him: "Fellow daoist Tong, it was I who wronged you. I offer you my apologies."

Tong Mingyuan laughed heartily: "With our friendship, having such a good thing naturally calls for sharing it. Let's go, time to head back. This place is good and all, but it's just too expensive."

Indeed, it was too expensive. A single visit cost twenty low-grade spirit stones. In his heart, Wu Tao also felt a pang of heartache, yet recalling the soul-stirring and bone-melting sensation from just a moment ago, he felt that spending twenty low-grade spirit stones was worth it.

Moreover, exactly as Tong Mingyuan said, every single female cultivator here cultivated a special dual cultivation technique. For instance, Wu Tao practiced a fire attribute technique, while the one opposite him practiced a wood attribute dual cultivation technique. Wood engendered fire, and during the dual cultivation process, it could increase Wu Tao's prowess.

This single time, twenty low-grade spirit stones raised the Sanyang Technique by one level of progress.

To increase a level of progress in a mere hour—if large handfuls of spirit stones were scattered down, wouldn't one achieve Foundation Establishment in a day?

Naturally, that was impossible.

Yet being able to increase cultivation was an event that could be met with but not sought after for many rogue cultivators.

People in the city really knew how to have fun.

Wu Tao could not help exclaiming inwardly.

Returning to the Five Spring Artifact Refining Hall in the inner city, he bid farewell to Tong Mingyuan and Zhu Xu, then returned to his room. As soon as he entered, before he even had time to activate the soundproof anti-peeping formation, someone called out: "Li Mo, Senior Chen is looking for you!"

Chen Shan is looking for me?

What is Chen Shan looking for me for?

Wu Tao wore a bewildered expression, asking that loose cultivator artifact refiner: "Fellow daoist, I wonder what Senior Chen wants with me?"

"I don't know. You'll find out once you go."

Wu Tao had no choice but to head toward Chen Shan's living quarters. As a first-rank level 7 artifact refiner, it was naturally impossible for Chen Shan to live in the same area as them; instead, he resided in a courtyard with much better conditions.

Along the way, he kept pondering what on earth Chen Shan wanted with him. He had always kept a very low profile and never displayed any extraordinary performance. Logically speaking...

Unable to figure it out, Wu Tao simply stopped thinking about it.

Arriving at the doorway of Chen Shan's room, Wu Tao calmed his emotions and knocked softly on the door.

A moment later, the door opened. Seeing him, Chen Shan wore a smile and said: "Li Mo has arrived, come inside and speak."

"Yes, Senior Chen."

Wu Tao respectfully entered.

"Sit down." The place where Chen Shan lived was not just a single room; it also had a reception hall. After waiting for Wu Tao to take a seat, Chen Shan took one look at Wu Tao's flushed complexion and the faint fragrance seemingly clinging to his body, instantly understanding. With a solemn expression, he said: "Li Mo, did you go to Splendid Brocade Street?"

Seeing that Chen Shan had seen through it, Wu Tao thought to himself that Senior Chen was indeed a veteran of this trade, seeing at a glance that he had been to Splendid Brocade Street. Therefore, he answered honestly: "It cannot escape Senior Chen's discernment."

Chen Shan said: "Li Mo, it is still best not to go to Splendid Brocade Street in the future. The dual cultivation methods practiced by those female cultivators can indeed make you feel your cultivation increasing momentarily, but it is not cultivated by your own self. It results in an unstable foundation for the future and is detrimental to long-term cultivation."

"If you become infatuated with this, it will surely create obstructions to your breakthroughs in the future."

Hearing this, Wu Tao's heart shifted slightly. He hurriedly stood up, bowed heavily, and expressed his gratitude: "Many thanks to Senior Chen for the reminder."

Sure enough, where in this world was there ever such a good bargain?

Seeing Wu Tao accept the advice with an open mind, Chen Shan was greatly satisfied and said: "Li Mo, the reason I looked for you today is indeed because there is an opportunity, depending on whether you can seize it or not."

Opportunity?

For me?

Yet, why me?

My performance has always been thoroughly mediocre, alright?

Unable to figure it out, Wu Tao simply asked: "Senior Chen, why is it me?"

Thanks to Superdaddy for the 500 Origin Coin tip. It's the beginning of the month, time to beg for a monthly vote. Please chase the chapters; this is the most important thing. Only with chapter chasing can this book go further.