Setting Up a Stall

"So, did that mean I could now count as an artifact refiner?"

Inside the little house,

Wu Tao looked at the First-Rank Level 2 Wind-Speed Magic Robe in his hands, unable to suppress the excitement, agitation, and joy swelling within him. If there had been a woman beside him, he definitely would have picked her up and spun her around a few times.

Unfortunately, he was a single dog. He could only hop around a few times by himself with great ceremony, slowly digesting all that excitement and joy alone.

"Ah, I had no friends in this life. If this achievement had happened in my previous life, I definitely would have dragged my best bros to a food stall and drunk a few cases. First, to celebrate; second, to show off without seeming to."

Wu Tao ran both hands over the fine white magic robe, and Zhang Li came to mind. He had just wanted to go show off in front of her, but the thought was snuffed out in an instant.

The Cultivation World was not the law-based society of his previous life. He had to learn to keep a low profile and make his fortune in silence.

"Time for a test."

The magic robe had been successfully refined, but he still had to keep its quality under control. He planned to make a living as an artifact refiner in the future, so he could not smash his own signboard.

Having lived two lives and risen from humble beginnings in both, Wu Tao understood the importance of honesty better than anyone.

The magic robe had only one function: a First-Rank Level 2 Wind-Speed Restriction. Since it had been refined by his own hands, he was familiar with the structure of the restriction. After a quarter of an hour, he had refined it and branded it with his own spiritual sense imprint.

He put on the magic robe and said, "I'll make do and test it inside the house."

He considered his current low cultivation. He was a cute newbie at the Second Level of Qi Refining, and the only offensive spell he knew, the Fireball Technique, was not yet fully mastered. Taking a First-Rank Elementary magic robe outside to test it...

That was asking for death.

If bad people spotted him and robbed him—or worse, went straight for murder and treasure seizing—then he could only go complain to King Yama.

Spiritual power activated the Wind-Speed Restriction within the magic robe. A layer of firefly-like magic light immediately radiated from it. Wu Tao moved, aided by the wind as though his body itself carried a breeze, circling around the small room.

After two laps, Wu Tao stopped and reached a conclusion. "The restriction is intact. Activation is very fast, around three seconds. Spiritual power flows smoothly, speed doubles, and the quality... passes."

Wu Tao carefully took it off and removed the spiritual sense imprint he had left behind.

Then, he wrapped it carefully in a clean piece of cloth and placed it beneath the bed, planning to sell it at the marketplace tomorrow.

"I heard the cheapest stall in the marketplace costs thirty fragmented spirit stones a day. I only have six fragmented spirit stones left on me... I can only swallow my pride and borrow from Zhang Li."

Wu Tao was somewhat worried that Zhang Li would not be willing to lend him the money.

After all, not lending was one's duty; lending was a favor.

He believed that his friendship with Zhang Li had not yet reached the point where he could borrow money from her.

But there was no other choice. She was the only person he knew.

Even if he had to kneel and call her Mom, he had to borrow it.

Early the next morning, after Wu Tao finished emptying Huzi, he went to Zhang Li's door and knocked.

Zhang Li had not had any guests visit last night either.

Not long after, the door opened. Zhang Li looked at him with sleepy eyes, still carrying the irritation of waking up. "What do you want again? I'm still sleepy."

Wu Tao struggled inwardly without pause. Only after hesitating for a moment did he speak the words about borrowing money. Worried that Zhang Li would not trust him, he quickly added, "Fellow Daoist Zhang, don't worry. I'll repay you in full within two days at the latest."

Zhang Li looked at how anxious he was, sweat even appearing on his face. She said nothing, seeming to deliberate. Only after a moment did she ask, "How much?"

Wu Tao was overjoyed and hurriedly said, "Sixty fragmented spirit stones."

Zhang Li turned around. Wu Tao heard fragmented spirit stones clinking together inside the house. Soon, Zhang Li returned with a money bag and handed it to Wu Tao. "There are a hundred fragmented spirit stones in here. Fellow Daoist Li, take them and deal with your emergency first."

He had really borrowed it... Wu Tao took the money bag, boundless gratitude rising in his heart. Then he said solemnly, "Fellow Daoist Zhang, great kindness needs no words of thanks. You've saved my life."

Zhang Li yawned, waved a hand, and said unconcernedly, "It's not as serious as you say. All right, I'm going back to sleep."

With that, she shut the door on her own.

Wu Tao gripped the money bag in his hand and silently made up his mind. He would remember this kindness of lending money to him. After all, in this world, there were very few people willing to lend you money.

"Lightness Talismans, four low-grade spirit stones each."

"Soundproofing Arrays! Ten-year anniversary special! Installation at your door, three-year warranty, only fifty low-grade spirit stones.

The discount lasts only three days! After three days, the original price of sixty-eight low-grade spirit stones returns! Those who want one installed, hurry up!"

"The Beast Skin Talisman Paper Workshop has gone bankrupt! The Beast Skin Talisman Paper Workshop has gone bankrupt!

We have no spirit stones, and us hired workers are pitiful! We can only take Beast Skin Talisman Paper as wages! Twenty sheets for one low-grade spirit stone! Cost price! Bleeding price..."

"Spirit rice! Fine spirit rice! This year's freshly harvested Youxiang No. 3! So fragrant, you don't even need dishes—you can eat three bowls straight..."

"Uncle, how much is your spirit rice?"

"This little Daoist friend, I'm not bragging, but this spirit rice of mine was newly cultivated this year by Zhou Tiannong, a grade-A spirit planter of Five Spring Mountain. Youxiang No. 3—it turns so fragrant when cooked. One low-grade spirit stone for thirty jin...

If you don't believe me, look. This is my Spirit Planter Certificate, stamped by Wuquan Mountain Spirit Planting Hall. I raised this spirit rice through bitter toil... guaranteed reputation..."

The spirit planter selling spirit rice opened a certificate and handed it to Wu Tao.

Wu Tao had never seen a spirit planter's certificate before, so he was curious. He took it and looked. It read: "Han Tiezhu has passed the spirit planter examination of Wuquan Mountain Spirit Planting Hall. Upon evaluation, he has been rated a Grade D Spirit Planter. This certificate is specially issued as proof."

—Sure enough, there was a red seal of Wuquan Mountain Spirit Planting Hall in the lower right corner. It could not be faked.

"See that? A Grade D Spirit Planter. Pretty impressive, right?" Han Tiezhu pointed at the words "Grade D Spirit Planter" on the certificate as he spoke to Wu Tao, pride unconsciously appearing on his face.

"Uncle, that's impressive!" Wu Tao returned the certificate to Han Tiezhu and raised his thumb without stinting on praise.

The first lesson of society was this: do not be stingy with praise for others. Praising others cost nothing and could make them happy, so why not?

Wu Tao's praise followed Han Tiezhu's wishes and went straight to his heart. Han Tiezhu said, "Little Daoist friend, just for that thumbs-up, I'll weigh out an extra jin for you."

As he spoke, he prepared to weigh out spirit rice for Wu Tao.

Wu Tao hurriedly grabbed Han Tiezhu's arm and put on an embarrassed expression. "Uncle, sorry, I don't have any money on me right now. Once I have money, I'll definitely buy your spirit rice."

Han Tiezhu was not disappointed. Instead, he said generously, "All right, then Uncle wishes you prosperity and spirit stones rolling in."

Wu Tao bade Han Tiezhu farewell and headed for the Market Rental Office.

This marketplace had also been built by Wuquan Mountain Disciples. To set up a stall here, one had to go to the office and obtain a rental permit. Anyone setting up a stall privately and caught by the patrol inspectors would not only face a heavy fine, but also lose their qualification to reside in West Outer City.

Wu Tao had long learned to investigate everything clearly before acting. That way, he could avoid a great deal of trouble.

When he arrived at the Market Rental Office, there were only two windows, yet many cultivators wanted to rent stalls. Two long lines had formed, and at the official offices of Five Spring Mountain, no one dared cut in line.

Wu Tao obediently joined the queue as well.

Three quarters of an hour later, it was Wu Tao's turn.

"Hello, sir. I'd like to rent a stall." Wu Tao piled a smile onto his face and spoke politely.

"What are you selling?"

"Magic robes."

"Magic robes?"

Upon hearing those words, the office worker finally raised his head to look at Wu Tao. "Fine. Which district do you want? Do you have a certificate? If you do, bring it out."

"A certificate?"

Wu Tao asked in confusion, "Sir, I hadn't heard that renting a stall required a certificate?"

"First time?"

Seeing Wu Tao nod, the office cultivator said, "You don't know that rental discounts can be claimed with certificates? Those selling spirit rice can bring a Spirit Planter Certificate to get ten percent off their stall rental fee. If you sell magic robes and have an Artifact Refiner Certificate certified by the Five Spring Artifact Refining Hall, you can get twenty percent off the rental fee and another ten percent off the transaction tax."

"Thank you for explaining, sir. I don't have a certificate." Wu Tao truly had not known about this. He wondered whether he should take an examination at Five Spring Mountain for one in the future. Saving even a little was worthwhile.

He just did not know whether it would be difficult to pass.