Steady Cultivation: Starting With the Perk “Work Hard, Rest Hard” Chapter 597: A Conspiracy in the Dark

While Su Yuan was engaged in negotiations with the Wu family.

At the Green Forest Residence.

Proprietor Green Forest Recluse was in the process of overseeing the establishment's commercial activities.

The Green Forest Residence stood as the preeminent artifact forging establishment within Black Flame City, with Green Forest Recluse himself holding the esteemed title of the most renowned Artificer in the same locale.

As he perused the ledgers, a stark realization dawned upon him: the establishment's revenue had experienced a significant downturn, a full thirty percent reduction.

The shopkeeper, positioned nearby, began to sweat profusely, anxiously awaiting the impending lecture from Master Green Forest.

"Explain the precipitous decline in our business volume during this recent interval," Green Forest Recluse demanded.

"Reporting to the Recluse, a new establishment unfurled its doors at the far end of our Artifacting Street. This newcomer primarily deals in standardized weaponry and gear. Their introductory pricing was exceptionally competitive, and the two flagship standardized equipment pieces they are currently promoting have achieved remarkable sales. This has directly impacted our sales of lower-tier artifacts, resulting in the observed revenue drop!"

"A fledgling shop has the audacity to diminish my Green Forest Residence's low-tier commerce by thirty percent? It appears they possess some unique advantage. What precisely are these two standardized equipment models?"

A mere cursory examination by Green Forest was sufficient to discern the distinct characteristics of these standardized Lingguang Swords.

"One emanates a formidable 'craftsman's axe aura'. Its overall quality falls slightly below the standard, barely reaching a four-point-seven effectiveness rating, yet it remains functional. Coupled with a reduced price, it undeniably commands a market segment."

"The other exhibits superior craftsmanship. The refinement of its materials is exceptionally thorough, and the arrangement of its Chaos Secret Patterns is imbued with an aesthetic grace, achieving a six-point-seven quality. This represents a notable improvement over the five-point quality standard. Individuals accustomed to utilizing standardized weaponry, should they possess a modicum of disposable income, would undoubtedly elect to acquire a superior option."

Green Forest Recluse immediately grasped the insidious strategy underpinning these two standardized armaments. The former was designed to ensnare novices, diverting those who would have initially invested in three-hundred-million caliber equipment. The latter, conversely, constituted a direct assault on seasoned practitioners who already possessed standard-issue arms, effectively obstructing their potential progression towards other six or seven-point treasures!

This was a meticulously calculated interception of the target demographics.

"Remarkable, truly remarkable! The proprietor of this new establishment is undoubtedly an individual of considerable influence. What is the valuation of these two standardized pieces of weaponry?" Green Forest Recluse inquired.

"Based on the shop's introductory ninety percent discount, the former is priced at two hundred million Chaos Jade, while the latter stands at three hundred and eighty million Chaos Jade. I perceive minimal profit margins at these figures. Following the conclusion of their promotional event, the prices are anticipated to escalate. Consequently, the impact on our revenue will diminish considerably." The shopkeeper projected an air of unconcern.

"Tsk tsk, indeed!"

A frigid glint flickered in Green Forest Recluse's eyes. "Both neophytes and seasoned individuals constitute the primary demographic for subsequent acquisitions of high-tier treasures. Should this establishment persist in intercepting these crucial segments, not only will low-tier equipment face future repercussions, but mid and high-tier artifacts will also be systematically diverted to this shop! This is akin to removing the very fuel source from beneath a cauldron! Even if they operate at a deficit to cultivate renown, they will inevitably recoup their losses through the subsequent sales of mid and high-tier artifacts."

The shopkeeper inhaled sharply, suddenly comprehending the immense magnitude of the threat posed by this unassuming shop situated at the street's terminus.

He couldn't help but utter, "This establishment appears to lack any substantial patronage or backing. How do they dare to provoke established artifact forging guilds in such a manner? While we have incurred a thirty percent deficit, other guilds must be experiencing even more severe consequences!"

"Proceed to investigate the commercial standing of the other guilds."

Green Forest commanded.

"Understood."

The shopkeeper swiftly engaged the Heavenly Eye Pavilion to procure the requisite intelligence.

He soon returned with his findings.

"Recluse, the revenue streams of numerous guilds have experienced a precipitous decline. Certain establishments specializing in the sale of standardized weaponry are now facing complete stagnation. Furthermore, I have ascertained that the Four Great War Groups have all placed substantial orders with that Seven Stars Artifacting Shop!"

Upon receiving this information, Green Forest Recluse offered a curt nod. "Proceed to dispatch an invitation. I have a desire to confer with them."

The shopkeeper acknowledged the directive with a nod.

One day elapsed.

At the Soaring Sky Restaurant.

Within a private chamber, a collective of nine Artifact Refining Masters had convened. Each individual maintained an air of serene composure, projecting an aura of profound nonchalance.

Green Forest Recluse addressed the assembled individuals, stating, "The singular reason for convoking this meeting is the recently unveiled Seven Stars Artifacting Shop!"

All eyes were fixed upon him, awaiting his further explanation.

Green Forest Recluse then inquired, "I am certain your respective enterprises have felt the impact. This new establishment, Seven Stars Artifacting Shop, has instantly siphoned off a considerable portion of your clientele. What are your sentiments regarding this development?"

A discerning artificer, a monkey with three ears and golden fur, responded nonchalantly, "It is merely a new shop that has opened. Their promotional activities have generated this temporary buzz. Matters will inevitably revert to their normal state in due course."

"Precisely, it's just another vendor offering standard weaponry."

"Normal?" Green Forest Recluse countered, a shake of his head betraying his disagreement. "We are all astute individuals here. I refuse to believe you have not conducted your due diligence. Consider the two equipment models purveyed by the Seven Stars Artifacting Shop: one, a 4.7-star substandard item, priced at a mere two hundred million, adequately sufficient to capture ninety-nine percent of all aspiring cultivators.

"Then there is the 6.7-star premium model, capable of elevating a novice's standard armament from the commonplace five-star tier directly to the superior six-point-seven rating, with an added cost of only eight hundred million over conventional options. Coupled with their substandard Crescent Moon issue as a stepping stone, a seamless transition to the 6.7-star Seven Stars armaments is facilitated!"

Green Forest Recluse declared with a level tone, "The formidable Four Great War Groups have already placed orders exceeding fifty thousand units of their standard issue. Other war factions are poised to follow suit, inevitably bringing the total well over fifty thousand. Furthermore, the independent cultivators flocking to acquire these items will only swell these numbers further. That Seven Stars Artifacting Shop is poised to decimate all your existing revenue streams."

"Preposterous!" exclaimed an elder, his wizened form adorned with a turtle shell. "The craft of weapon forging demands substantial time. How could that particular artifact forging establishment possibly accommodate such a colossal volume of work?"

Green Forest Recluse replied smoothly, "Such derivative, standard-issue equipment undoubtedly employs a mass-production methodology, driving their costs below the two hundred million mark. If they elect to maintain this pricing strategy, then I predict, with a cynical chuckle, that in the future, you shall struggle to vend even a solitary item of your own production."

A collective tremor ran through the assembled company.

Certain Artifact Refining Masters, who had initially dismissed the situation, found their concern escalating significantly. The gravity of the predicament was demonstrably more profound than their prior assumptions.

At this juncture, Green Forest Recluse's underlying objective for convening this gathering became unequivocally apparent.

"The Alliance is expansive, encompassing numerous cities beyond Black Flame City. Should we manage to master this technique for mass-producing secondary standard-issue equipment, we shall possess a significant advantage in extending our reach beyond Black Flame City and targeting the entirety of the Alliance's equipment market!"

Green Forest Recluse's voice resonated with an undeniable sense of urgency. "Swift action is paramount. Once the Seven Stars Artifacting Shop evolves and directs its attention toward the broader Alliance, or potentially aligns itself with some overwhelmingly powerful entity, our window of opportunity to seize this advantage will diminish exponentially!"

These pronouncements induced visible shifts in everyone's demeanor.

Both the allure of opportunity and the specter of peril were starkly illuminated before them.

The potential rewards of acquiring this forging methodology were immeasurable, and the finite time remaining was rapidly dwindling. A resolution was imperative within this compressed timeframe!

Consequently, each individual commenced an in-depth contemplation of potential solutions.

Green Forest Recluse's expression gradually settled back into a composed, impassive facade. All developments, he surmised, remained firmly within his calculated control.