Setting Up a Stall

"So, I can be considered an Artifact Refiner now?"

Inside the hut, Wu Tao looked at the First-Rank Level 2 Wind-Speed Magic Robe in his hand, feeling an uncontrollable surge of excitement, thrill, and joy. If there had been a woman beside him, he would have definitely swept her up and spun her around a few times.

Alas, he was a Single Dog, so he could only do a few ritualistic hops by himself, slowly digesting all the excitement and joy.

"Sigh, in this life, I have no friends. Such an achievement, if it were in my past life, I would definitely drag my good brothers to a food stall and drink several boxes. One, to celebrate, and two, to show off inadvertently."

Wu Tao caressed the delicate white robe with both hands, and Zhang Li came to mind. He was about to go show off to Zhang Li, but that thought was instantly extinguished.

The Cultivation World is not like the Law-Based Society of his past life. He needed to learn to act low-key and get rich quietly.

"Let's test it."

The robe was successfully refined, but quality control was also important. He intended to make a living as an Artifact Refiner from now on; he couldn't afford to ruin his own reputation.

Wu Tao had lived two lives, both starting from obscurity, and he deeply understood the importance of integrity.

The robe had a single function: a First-Rank Level 2 Wind-Speed Restriction. Furthermore, it was refined by his own hands, and he was familiar with the structure of this restriction. After fifteen minutes, he refined the restriction and imprinted his Spiritual Sense Imprint.

He put on the robe and said, "I'll just test it here in the room."

He considered that his current cultivation was low, a newbie at the Second Level of Qi Refining. His only offensive spell, the Fireball Technique, wasn't even mastered yet. Taking a First-Rank Elementary magic robe to test outside...

That would be courting death.

If some bad person saw him, robbed him, or even worse, killed him for his treasure, he would only have himself to blame when complaining to the King of Hell.

He activated the Wind-Speed Restriction within the robe with his Spiritual Power. The robe immediately emitted a firefly-like Magic Light. Wu Tao's body moved, as if aided by the wind, his body seeming to carry the wind as he circled around the small hut.

After two laps, Wu Tao stopped and concluded, "The restriction is intact, activation is fast, about three seconds. Spiritual Power flow is continuous, speed is doubled, quality... acceptable."

Wu Tao carefully took it off, removing his Spiritual Sense Imprint.

Then, he carefully wrapped it in a clean cloth and put it under the bed, planning to sell it at the Market tomorrow.

"I heard the cheapest stall in the Market costs thirty Fragmented Spirit Stones a day, and I only have six Fragmented Spirit Stones left... I'll have to put my pride aside and borrow from Zhang Li."

Wu Tao was a little worried that Zhang Li might not be willing to lend him the money.

After all, not lending is the norm, while lending is a favor.

He felt that his relationship with Zhang Li wasn't close enough to borrow money.

But there was no other way, as she was the only person he knew.

He would have to borrow it, even if it meant kneeling and calling her 'Mom'.

The next morning, after Wu Tao finished taking care of Huzi, he went to Zhang Li's door and knocked.

Zhang Li had no other guests last night.

After a while, the door opened, and Zhang Li looked at him with sleepy eyes, still grumpy from waking up, "What is it now? I'm still sleepy."

Wu Tao struggled internally, hesitated for a moment, then finally spoke the words about borrowing money. Fearing Zhang Li wouldn't trust him, he quickly added, "Fellow Daoist Zhang, don't worry, I'll return it all to you in two days at the latest."

Zhang Li looked at his anxious, sweating face without speaking, seemingly deep in thought. After a moment, she asked, "How much do you need to borrow?"

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

Zhang Li turned back, and Wu Tao heard the sound of fragmented spirit stones clinking inside. Soon, Zhang Li returned, holding a money bag, and handed it to Wu Tao, saying, "Here are a hundred fragmented spirit stones, Fellow Daoist Li. Take them to tide you over for now!"

He actually borrowed it... Wu Tao took the money bag, feeling immense gratitude, and then said earnestly, "Fellow Daoist Zhang, great kindness needs no thanks. You've saved my life."

Zhang Li yawned, waved her hand, and said indifferently, "It's not as serious as you say. Alright, I'm going back to sleep now."

With that, she closed the door herself.

Wu Tao clutched the money bag in his hand, secretly resolving to remember this kindness of being lent money. After all, people willing to lend you money are rare in this world.

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

"Soundproofing Array, a great promotional offer for ten years! On-site installation, three-year warranty, only fifty low-grade spirit stones.

The promotional period is only three days. After three days, the price will return to the original sixty-eight low-grade spirit stones. Hurry if you want to install it!"

"Beast Skin Talisman Paper workshop has gone out of business! Beast Skin Talisman Paper workshop has gone out of business!

Without spirit stones, we workers are pitiful! We can only use beast skin talisman paper to pay wages. Twenty sheets of beast skin talisman paper for one low-grade spirit stone, at cost price, a blood price..."

"Spirit Rice, excellent spirit rice! This year's new harvest, Youxiang No. 3. It's so fragrant! You can eat three bowls directly without cooking..."

"Uncle, how much are you selling this spirit rice for?"

"Little Daoist friend, it's not bragging, but this spirit rice was newly cultivated this year by Master Zhou Tiannong, a Grade A Spirit Planter from Wuquan Mountain. It's Youxiang No. 3, and it's very fragrant when cooked. Thirty catties for one low-grade spirit stone...

If you don't believe me, look, this is my Spirit Planter Certificate, stamped by the Wuquan Mountain Spirit Planting Hall. I painstakingly nurtured this spirit rice... Guaranteed reputation..."

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

Wu Tao had never seen a Spirit Planter's certificate before and was curious. He took it and read, "This Han Tiezhu has passed the Spirit Planter examination of the Wuquan Mountain Spirit Planting Hall. After evaluation, he is certified as a Grade D Spirit Planter. This certificate is issued as proof."

--There was indeed a red seal from the Wuquan Mountain Spirit Planting Hall in the lower right corner, so it couldn't be fake.

"See? Grade D Spirit Planter, pretty impressive, huh!" Han Tiezhu pointed to the 'Grade D Spirit Planter' on the certificate and said to Wu Tao, a hint of pride unconsciously showing on his face.

"Uncle, you're amazing!" Wu Tao returned the certificate to Han Tiezhu, giving him a thumbs-up without reservation.

The first lesson in society: don't be stingy with praise for others. Praising others costs nothing and makes them happy, so why not?

Wu Tao's compliment, tailored to Han Tiezhu's ego, hit the mark. "Little Daoist friend, just for that thumb of yours, I'll give you an extra jin."

With that, he reached for the Spirit Rice to weigh it out for Wu Tao.

Wu Tao quickly grabbed Han Tiezhu's arm, putting on a troubled expression. "Uncle, I'm sorry, I don't have any money on me right now. When I do, I'll definitely buy your Spirit Rice."

Han Tiezhu wasn't disappointed. Instead, he said generously, "Alright, then Uncle wishes you prosperity and lots of Spirit Stones."

Wu Tao bid farewell to Han Tiezhu and headed to the Market Rental Office.

This market was also built by the Wuquan Mountain disciples. To set up a stall here, one had to go to the office to obtain a rental permit. Setting up a stall privately would result in a heavy penalty if discovered by a patrol officer, and would also lead to the cancellation of one's residency qualification in the West Outer City.

Wu Tao had long learned to investigate thoroughly before acting, as this could avoid a lot of trouble.

Upon arriving at the Market Rental Office, there were only two windows, but many Cultivators wished to rent stalls. Two long queues had formed. In an official Wuquan Mountain establishment, no one dared to cut in line.

Wu Tao also obediently joined the queue.

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

"Esteemed sir, hello, I wish to rent a stall," Wu Tao said with a smile, his tone polite and amiable.

"Selling what?"

"Magic Robes."

"Magic Robes?"

The office staff member looked up at Wu Tao upon hearing these words. "Alright, which district do you want to rent in? Do you have a certificate? If so, bring it here."

"Certificate?"

Wu Tao looked confused. "Sir, I haven't heard that a certificate is required to rent a stall?"

"First time?"

Seeing Wu Tao nod, the office Cultivator said, "You don't know that reliable certificates can get you rental discounts. If you're selling Spirit Rice, bringing a Spirit Planter Certificate can reduce the stall rental fee by ten percent. If you're selling Magic Robes, having a certified Artifact Refiner Certificate from the Five Spring Artifact Refining Hall can reduce the fee by twenty percent and also cut the transaction tax by ten percent."

"Thank you for the explanation, sir. I don't have a certificate." Wu Tao genuinely didn't know about this. He wondered if he should go to Wuquan Mountain to get a certificate in the future; every bit saved was worth it.

He just didn't know how difficult the exam was.