One Month

In his past life, Wu Tao had browsed online novels. In the Cultivation World, opportunities did exist, but he didn't believe his mediocre performance in the artifact refining room would earn Chen Shan's special attention.

Therefore, Wu Tao was somewhat suspicious of Chen Shan's motives.

As they had interacted, Chen Shan was indeed a good superior, but people were complex and multifaceted. The world bustles, all for profit; the world teems, all for gain. He couldn't imagine what value he possessed that would make Chen Shan value him.

At least, his displayed value was not enough for Chen Shan to value him.

Wu Tao was very vigilant about this.

Seeing Wu Tao's expression and understanding his doubts, Chen Shan knew that Wu Tao had become wary. Chen Shan greatly admired this. Only by being like this could one live longer in the Cultivation World.

He said slowly, "Li Mo, you have doubts about this and are on guard. This approach is correct. Your refining work in the artifact refining room during this period has indeed been unremarkable, even falling into the bottom tier for the daily Black Essence Iron quota."

"But Li Mo, have you ever considered that I am a Tier 7 Artifact Refiner, and you are only Tier 4? The gap between us is greater than you imagine. Everything you've done is, in my eyes, as if it were nothing."

Hearing this, Wu Tao's heart trembled. He was already considering whether to make a move if Chen Shan intended him harm. He listened as Chen Shan continued:

"Your artifact refining skill is actually among the best in the entire artifact refining room. I've specifically observed your refining techniques. Although they are still the techniques of a Loose Cultivator Artifact Refiner, the skill is quite mature. With such mature skill, I estimate you could increase the purity of the Black Essence Iron to ninety-two or ninety-three percent, and the amount extracted through fusion would not be limited to just thirty catties. However, with such proficient skill, your scrap rate each time precisely hovers around the passing line."

"Li Mo, if my guess is correct, the amount of smelting and extraction, and the scrap rate, are all under your precise control. Such precise control is enough to show that your artifact refining talent is good and your future is bright. Perhaps in the future, you can become a Tier 9 Artifact Refiner."

After listening to Chen Shan's words, Wu Tao fell silent. He had never met a Tier 7 Artifact Refiner, so he naturally didn't know the level of their artifact refining skill. Being seen through by Chen Shan this time, Wu Tao felt it was not unjust.

"Senior Chen has discerning eyes; nothing can be hidden from Senior Chen," Wu Tao said.

Chen Shan smiled gently and said, "Li Mo, your approach is actually correct. Acting low-key can indeed avoid many unnecessary troubles. We Loose Cultivator Artifact Refiners are not only exploited by Immortal Dao Great Sects like Five Spring Mountain, but because resources at the bottom are scarcer, with more wolves and less meat, the competition among Loose Cultivator Artifact Refiners for resources is even fiercer. If one is too high-profile or ostentatious, they will inevitably attract attention."

"Li Mo, what I value in you is not only your artifact refining talent but also your low-key demeanor."

"I was too high-profile before... Ah, let's not talk about that..." Chen Shan seemed to recall some unpleasant past, a hint of regret flashing across his face, but he quickly concealed it and moved on, continuing, "Now, with the warfare between Five Spring Mountain and the Ghost Dao Sect, we Loose Cultivator Artifact Refiners have been summoned to work for the Five Spring Artifact Refining Hall. The environment is relatively peaceful, not as intense as outside. These Loose Cultivator Artifact Refiners have only temporarily hidden their wolfish nature. Once they return to the wild, their eyes will naturally turn red. Therefore, when you make friends, you still need to be cautious."

Wu Tao didn't know why Chen Shan would suddenly impart life experience. His attitude was very much like that of an elder towards a junior, which puzzled Wu Tao. However, he still thanked him respectfully, "Thank you for your guidance, Senior Chen. This junior remembers it."

Judging by the current development of the conversation, Chen Shan did not harbor any ill will towards him. Wu Tao slightly lowered his guard and asked seriously, "Senior Chen, what is the opportunity you mentioned?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Shan took a book from his Storage Bag and handed it to Wu Tao. "This is a Tier 4 Solidification Restriction. If you can engrave it within a month, there will be an opportunity. If you cannot engrave it within a month, the opportunity will naturally disappear."

Another test... Wu Tao took the Restriction Book and thought, Tier 4, a month is easy for me.

Seeing him take the book, Chen Shan said, "You can go back and rest. Oh, and don't worry, I will keep your secret for you."

Hearing this, Wu Tao bowed and took his leave. "Senior Chen, I bid you farewell!"

Just as he reached the door, Wu Tao turned back and cupped his hands, asking, "Senior Chen, I have something to ask. You just said that with my artifact refining talent, I might grow into a Tier 9 Artifact Refiner in the future."

"Can I not become a Tier 2 Artifact Refiner?"

Chen Shan listened, looked at Wu Tao for a long time, then laughed heartily, "It's good for young people to have ambition, but do you know why the end for Loose Cultivator Artifact Refiners is First-Rank Level 9?"

"Why?" Wu Tao asked.

Chen Shan said, "Because we Loose Cultivator Artifact Refiners lack one thing, and that thing is called Artifact Refinement Technique. Without the Artifact Refinement Technique, one cannot break through to Tier 2."

'Artifact Refinement Technique...' Wu Tao naturally knew about Artifact Refinement Techniques, but what he didn't expect was that the Artifact Refinement Technique was the key to breaking through to a Tier 2 Artifact Refiner.

Chen Shan continued, "As a Loose Cultivator Artifact Refiner, you naturally know that Artifact Refinement Techniques are secret arts that are not passed down. They are only likely to be inherited by masters and disciples or sects. The reason why Loose Cultivator Artifact Refiners are Loose Cultivator Artifact Refiners is that they come from unconventional backgrounds and have no inheritance."

Wu Tao sighed in his heart and said, "I understand, Senior Chen. I'll take my leave!"

With that, Wu Tao left, carefully closing the door behind him.

Chen Shan stood up, a hint of regret flashing across his face, along with a hint of unwillingness. In the end, he merely muttered to himself, "What a pity, it's too late. Li Mo, I hope you can give me a surprise in a month. Then you will know how great the opportunity you have obtained is."

Wu Tao returned to his room, activated the Sound-Proofing and Anti-Peeping Array and the Illumination Array, sat in the Grandmaster Chair, took out the Restriction Books he had obtained from Chen Shan earlier, and began to read.

The First-Rank Level 4 Solidification Restriction is a type of strengthening restriction. This restriction can make paper harder than steel.

"In a month, with my current skill level, I will definitely be able to successfully engrave it. What opportunity did Chen Shan mention? Could it be related to this First-Rank Level 4 Solidification Restriction?"

"Also, the Artifact Refinement Technique... it's a headache... As a Primary Profession Artifact Refiner, can't I break through to Tier 2 without relying on an Artifact Refinement Technique?"

Wu Tao felt a headache coming on. Where could he find an Artifact Refinement Technique? Finally, he had an epiphany: "I'm only at First-Rank Level 4 now, and I'm still so far from First-Rank Level 9. It's too early to think about this now."

Relieved, Wu Tao began to study the First-Rank Level 4 Solidification Restriction.

Time slowly passed.

The monotonous work of smelting and extracting every day, and then cultivating and engraving restrictions after returning. Since being reminded by Chen Shan, Tong Mingyuan and Zhu Xu had invited him to Splendid Brocade Street several times, but he had politely refused.

Of course, he did not directly tell Tong Mingyuan and Zhu Xu about Chen Shan's reminder. Instead, he subtly advised the two not to go to Splendid Brocade Street. Whether they listened to his advice or not was not something he could control.

In this slowly flowing time, he could hear news about the warfare every few days.

A month later, the Foundation Establishment Cultivators finally entered the fray.