Opportunity

In the artifact refining room.

On the fourth day, the basic training was completed, and the refining work began.

These loose cultivator artifact refiners only needed to smelt one type of Black Essence Iron ore spiritual material daily. They performed simple tasks, extracting the Black Essence Iron from the ore, aiming for ninety percent purity.

Black Essence Iron was a First-Rank Level 8 spiritual material. With their artifact refining skills, they couldn't refine it into a magic tool at all.

However, they were only doing the preliminary processing, which was within their capabilities.

Wu Tao had long suspected that the core processes would definitely not be handled by loose cultivator artifact refiners. This kind of spiritual material processing was the most peripheral work.

While it sounded simple, it wasn't entirely so.

If the purity didn't reach ninety percent, it was deemed substandard.

Each of them was required to smelt thirty catties of Black Essence Iron daily.

For the past few days, Wu Tao had been smelting ore and extracting Black Essence Iron. With his artifact refining skills, he could achieve ninety-five percent purity for Black Essence Iron, and with further practice, even one hundred percent purity was possible.

But Wu Tao didn't do that. He had always adhered to a low-profile approach.

Moreover, if it was stated as thirty catties per day, then it was thirty catties. Wu Tao wouldn't produce an extra ounce, and he precisely controlled the scrap rate within acceptable limits.

He heard that in the adjacent artifact refining room, there was a loose cultivator artifact refiner who, believing his talent was extraordinary, smelted forty catties of Black Essence Iron daily. The First-Rank Level 7 artifact refiner in charge of their room saw this and thought, "Ah, it seems your limits are far beyond this," and thus demanded that every loose cultivator artifact refiner must meet the standard of forty catties daily, with overtime if they fell short.

As a result, that person in charge received praise from the Five Spring Artifact Refining Hall.

However, it was tough on the artifact refiners in his room. Work that originally took four hours turned into five or even six hours.

Later, while out shopping and dining, that exceptionally talented loose cultivator artifact refiner offended someone and was beaten to death in a restaurant.

This incident served as a wake-up call for Wu Tao.

Cultivators, though called "immortals," were still no different from ordinary people. Human nature was complex, and one had to be on guard.

In the artifact refining room, Chen Shan didn't need to smelt and extract. He only needed to supervise the loose cultivator artifact refiners during their smelting and extraction, or offer guidance if their steps were not precise or the Starfire Stone temperature was insufficient.

In essence, his job was that of a foreman.

Fortunately, Chen Shan truly lived up to his name, being kind and considerate in all his dealings. When a loose cultivator artifact refiner made a mistake and scrapped the ore, he didn't lose his temper. Instead, he patiently explained the areas that needed improvement in the process.

Chen Shan walked over to Refining Station number three and said to the loose cultivator artifact refiner, "The flame temperature is not high enough. Add another Starfire Stone."

The loose cultivator artifact refiner thanked him and quickly added a Starfire Stone. He found that after adding it, the smelting indeed became smoother, and he was immensely grateful to Chen Shan.

With such a responsible person in charge, all the loose cultivator artifact refiners present felt fortunate.

Wu Tao ignored Chen Shan and meticulously smelted the ore, extracting the Black Essence Iron. At this moment, Chen Shan walked over to him, watched Wu Tao smelt for a while, and then continued to check on the next refining station.

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

"That's all for today's smelting. Everyone did well and met the standard," Chen Shan said, then dismissed everyone. He generally didn't disturb their personal time.

"Li Mo, Zhu Xu, come on, I found a great place that will be beneficial for our cultivation," Tong Mingyuan said loudly.

Zhu Xu asked, "What is it? I still need to go back and cultivate."

Wu Tao waved his hand, indicating he also needed to go back and cultivate and didn't want to join Tong Mingyuan's outing.

Tong Mingyuan and Zhu Xu were the two Loose Cultivator Artifact Refiners he got along with best here. Zhu Xu was more introverted, while Tong Mingyuan was lively and would go out to find fun things to do every three to five days.

Tong Mingyuan whispered, "I'm telling you, that place is a good place, it can increase your cultivation."

There's such a good thing?

Upon hearing this, Wu Tao and Zhu Xu decided to go with Tong Mingyuan for now.

Half an hour later.

Wu Tao and Zhu Xu looked up at the three large characters "Hundred Flower Pavilion." Leaning against the railings were beautiful and alluring female cultivators, posing gracefully.

The air was filled with a sense of joy.

"This is what you were talking about? You're talking nonsense. This place increases cultivation? It drains your essence," Zhu Xu turned to leave.

Wu Tao hesitated. Since they were already here, he might as well relax.

Tong Mingyuan grabbed Zhu Xu and said, "You country bumpkin, you've never 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 on, after you experience it, you'll know I'm not lying to you."

With that, he put his arms around Wu Tao and Zhu Xu's shoulders and entered Hundred Flower Pavilion.

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

Hearing this, Wu Tao and Zhu Xu's expressions changed. Who asks about someone's cultivation technique attribute? Isn't that revealing their secrets?

Tong Mingyuan saw this and quickly said, "Don't be angry. I forgot to tell you. Go and call three fairies, a table of food and drinks, and book a room. Also, all three fairies must be Wood Attribute."

After speaking, Tong Mingyuan pulled Wu Tao and Zhu Xu into the room and sat down to eat and drink.

A moment later, three female cultivators entered. By this time, Wu Tao and Zhu Xu had calmed down and each 'helplessly' accepted a female cultivator pouring them wine.

An hour later, the three of them emerged from Hundred Flower Pavilion with rosy complexions.

Seeing Tong Mingyuan again, Zhu Xu's face showed guilt. He sincerely apologized, "Fellow Daoist Tong, I wronged you. I apologize."

Tong Mingyuan laughed heartily, "With our friendship, of course, I have to share such good things. Let's go, let's go back. This place is good, but it's too expensive."

Yes, it was too expensive. Twenty Low-Grade Spirit Stones for one visit. Wu Tao also felt a pang in his heart, but remembering the soul-stirring pleasure he just experienced, he felt the twenty Low-Grade Spirit Stones were worth it.

Moreover, just as Tong Mingyuan had said, the female cultivators here all practiced a special dual cultivation technique. For example, Wu Tao practiced a Fire Attribute technique, while his partner practiced a Wood Attribute dual cultivation technique. Wood generates fire, which could increase Wu Tao's power during their dual cultivation.

This time, twenty Low-Grade Spirit Stones allowed the Sanyang Technique to advance by one stage.

If one stage could be gained in just one hour, wouldn't it be possible to reach Foundation Establishment in a single day with a large amount of Spirit Stones?

Of course, that was impossible.

But being able to increase one's cultivation was a rare and fortunate opportunity for many Loose Cultivators.

People in the city really knew how to have fun.

Wu Tao couldn't help but sigh.

Upon returning to the Five Spring Artifact Refining Hall in the Inner City, he bid farewell to Tong Mingyuan and Zhu Xu and returned to his room. Before he could even activate the Soundproof Anti-Peeping Formation, someone called out, "Li Mo, Senior Chen is looking for you?"

Senior Chen is looking for me?

Why would Senior Chen look for me?

Wu Tao looked confused and asked the Loose Cultivator Artifact Refiner, "Fellow Daoist, do you know why Senior Chen is looking for me?"

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

Wu Tao had no choice but to head to Chen Shan's residence. As a First-Rank Level 7 Artifact Refiner, Chen Shan naturally did not live in the same area as them but resided in a courtyard with better conditions.

On the way, he kept wondering why Chen Shan was looking for him. He had always kept a low profile and never shown any exceptional performance. Logically speaking...

He couldn't figure it out, so Wu Tao decided to stop thinking about it.

Arriving at Chen Shan's door, Wu Tao calmed his mind and gently knocked.

A moment later, the door opened. Chen Shan saw him and said with a smile, "Ah, Li Mo is here. Come in and talk."

"Yes, Senior Chen."

Wu Tao respectfully entered.

"Sit down." Chen Shan's residence was not just a single room but also included a reception hall. After Wu Tao sat down, Chen Shan noticed his ruddy complexion and the faint fragrance on him. He suddenly understood and said seriously, "Li Mo, you went to Splendid Brocade Street?"

Seeing that Chen Shan had seen through him, Wu Tao thought, So Senior Chen is also an old hand in this business. He could tell at a glance that I went to Splendid Brocade Street. He honestly replied, "I can't hide it from Senior Chen."

Chen Shan said, "Li Mo, it's best if you don't go to Splendid Brocade Street anymore. The dual cultivation methods practiced by those female cultivators can indeed make you feel an increase in your cultivation temporarily, but it's not something you cultivated yourself. It will lead to an unstable foundation in the future and is detrimental to long-term cultivation."

"If you become infatuated with it, it will definitely hinder your Breakthrough in the future."

Upon hearing this, Wu Tao's heart stirred slightly. He quickly stood up and thanked him solemnly, "Thank you for your reminder, Senior Chen."

As expected, there were no such good things in the world.

Chen Shan saw Wu Tao humbly accept, and he was greatly satisfied. He said, "Li Mo, I've called you here today because there's an Opportunity, and it depends on whether you can seize it."

An Opportunity?

For me?

But why me?

My performance has always been very average, okay?

Wu Tao couldn't figure it out, so he simply asked, "Senior Chen, why me?"

Thanks to Superdaddy for the 500 Origin Coin reward. It's the beginning of the month, please vote for a monthly ticket. Please keep reading, this is the most important thing. Only with continued reading can this book go further.