One Month

Wu Tao had read countless webnovels in his previous life. Opportunities did exist in the Cultivation World, but he did not believe that his utterly unremarkable performance in the Artifact Refining Room would make Chen Shan view him in a different light.

Therefore, Wu Tao harbored some suspicions about Chen Shan's motives.

After spending time with him, Chen Shan had indeed proven to be a good superior, but people were complex and multifaceted. All under heaven bustled and surged for profit; all under heaven rejoiced and clamored for gain. Wu Tao could not think of anything about himself worth Chen Shan's regard.

At least, the value he displayed was not worth Chen Shan's attention.

Wu Tao was extremely wary of this.

Hearing Wu Tao's question and seeing his expression, Chen Shan knew that he had already raised his guard. Chen Shan greatly approved of this. Only this way could one live longer in the Cultivation World.

He said slowly, "Li Mo, it is right for you to have doubts and remain on guard. During this time, your refining work in the Artifact Refining Room has indeed been unexceptional. Even your daily quota of Black Essence Iron has been among the lowest."

"But Li Mo, have you considered this? I am a First-Rank Level 7 Artifact Refiner, while you are only First-Rank Level 4. The gap between us is greater than you imagine. Everything you have done is as plain as day in my eyes."

Wu Tao's heart jolted. He was already considering whether he should strike if Chen Shan meant him harm when Chen Shan continued:

"Your artifact refinement skill is actually among the best in the entire Artifact Refining Room. I paid special attention to your refining methods. Though they are still the methods of a Loose Cultivator Artifact Refiner, your technique is remarkably mature. With skills as mature as yours, I estimate you can raise the purity of Black Essence Iron to ninety-two or ninety-three percent. Moreover, your extracted amount after fusion is not limited to merely thirty jin. Yet with such practiced skill, your scrap amount lands precisely on the passing line every single time."

"Li Mo, if my guess is correct, both the extraction amount from smelting and the scrap amount are under your precise control. Such precise control is enough to show that you have considerable talent in artifact refinement and a vast future ahead of you. Perhaps you may become a First-Rank Level 9 Artifact Refiner someday."

After hearing Chen Shan's words, Wu Tao fell silent. He had never met a First-Rank Level 7 Artifact Refiner before, so naturally he did not know what level their refining skills had reached. Now that Chen Shan had seen through him, Wu Tao did not feel wronged.

"Senior Chen has eyes like blazing torches. I could not hide it from you," Wu Tao said.

Chen Shan smiled gently. "Li Mo, what you have done is actually right. Keeping a low profile can indeed spare you much unnecessary trouble. We Loose Cultivator Artifact Refiners are not only exploited by Immortal Dao Great Sects such as Five Spring Mountain, but also, as resources at the bottom become scarcer and wolves outnumber the meat, competition for resources among Loose Cultivator Artifact Refiners becomes even fiercer. If one is too high-profile and flamboyant, one will inevitably be watched."

"Li Mo, what I value in you is not only your talent in artifact refinement, but also your low-profile manner."

"Back then, I was simply too high-profile... Ah, let us not speak of that..." Chen Shan seemed to recall unbearable old memories. A trace of regret flashed across his face, but he instantly concealed it, brushed the topic aside, and continued:

"Now that war has broken out between Five Spring Mountain and Ghost Dao Sect, we Loose Cultivator Artifact Refiners have answered the summons and come 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 merely hidden their wolfish natures for now. Once they return to the wilds, their eyes will naturally turn red again. Therefore, when making friends with Fellow Daoists, you must keep an extra eye open."

Wu Tao did not know why Chen Shan had suddenly begun imparting experience in conducting oneself. His attitude was much like that of an elder at home toward a junior, which greatly puzzled Wu Tao. Still, he respectfully thanked him. "Thank you for Senior Chen's guidance. This junior will remember it."

Judging from how things had developed, Chen Shan did not appear to bear him any ill intent. Wu Tao slightly lowered his guard and asked earnestly, "Senior Chen, may I ask what exactly this opportunity you mentioned is?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Shan took a book from his Storage Bag and handed it to Wu Tao. "This is a First-Rank Level 4 Solidification Restriction. If you can inscribe it within one month, the opportunity will be yours. If you cannot inscribe it within one month, then naturally there will be no opportunity."

So there was a test as well... Wu Tao took the Restriction Book and thought, A First-Rank Level 4 restriction is easy for me within one month.

Seeing that he had taken the book, Chen Shan said, "Go back and rest. Oh, and do not worry. I will keep your secret for you."

Wu Tao bowed and took his leave. "Senior Chen, then I shall be going!"

Just as he reached the door, Wu Tao turned back, cupped his hands, and asked, "Senior Chen, I have a question. You said earlier that with my talent in artifact refinement, I may one day grow into a First-Rank Level 9 Artifact Refiner."

"Could I not become a Second Tier Artifact Refiner?"

Chen Shan looked at Wu Tao for a long while before laughing heartily. "It is good for young people to have ambition, but do you know why the end of the road 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. That thing is called an Artifact Refinement Technique. Without an Artifact Refinement Technique, one cannot break through to the Second Tier."

Artifact Refinement Technique... Wu Tao naturally knew of Artifact Refinement Techniques, but he had not expected them to be the key to breaking through to become a Second Tier Artifact Refiner.

Chen Shan continued, "As a Loose Cultivator Artifact Refiner, you naturally know that Artifact Refinement Techniques are secret arts never passed on lightly. Only masters and disciples, or sects, may inherit them. The reason Loose Cultivator Artifact Refiners are Loose Cultivator Artifact Refiners is that they come from Rogue Paths and have no inheritance."

Wu Tao sighed inwardly and said, "I understand, Senior Chen. I shall take my leave."

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

Chen Shan rose to his feet. A trace of regret flashed across his face, along with a trace of unwillingness. In the end, he merely muttered to himself, "What a pity. It is too late. Li Mo, I hope you can give me a surprise one month from now. At that time, you will learn just how great the opportunity you have received truly is."

Wu Tao returned to his room, activated the Sound-Proofing and Anti-Peeping Array and the Illumination Array, then sat in his grandmaster chair. He took out the Restriction Book Chen Shan had given him and began reading it.

The First-Rank Level 4 Solidification Restriction was a type of reinforcement restriction. It could make paper harder than steel.

"One month. With my skill, I will certainly be able to inscribe it. What exactly is the opportunity Chen Shan mentioned? Could it be related to this First-Rank Level 4 Solidification Restriction?"

"And the Artifact Refinement Technique... What a headache. As an Artifact Refiner by primary profession, can I not break through to the Second Tier without relying on an Artifact Refinement Technique?"

Wu Tao felt a headache coming on. Where was he supposed to find an Artifact Refinement Technique? At last, realization dawned on him. "I am only First-Rank Level 4 right now. I am still so far from First-Rank Level 9. Thinking about this now is far too early."

After letting it go, Wu Tao began studying the First-Rank Level 4 Solidification Restriction.

Time slowly passed.

Every day consisted of monotonous smelting and extraction work. After returning, he cultivated and inscribed restrictions. Ever since Chen Shan's warning, Tong Mingyuan and Zhu Xu had invited him to Splendid Brocade Street several times, but he tactfully declined each time.

Of course, he did not directly tell Tong Mingyuan and Zhu Xu about Chen Shan's warning. Instead, he subtly advised them not to go to Splendid Brocade Street. As for whether they would heed his advice, that was not something he could decide.

As time slowly flowed by, he heard news of the war every few days.

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