Steady Cultivation: Starting With the Perk “Work Hard, Rest Hard” Chapter 607: Super Lucky Find

"This is quite peculiar. I’m rather intrigued as to why it requires a hundredfold consumption just to achieve normal defensive effectiveness," Su Yuan remarked, feigning ignorance. "It's definitely worth taking back to study meticulously!"

Green Forest Recluse overheard this but paid it little mind. He had personally investigated this treasure numerous times in the past; he too, was puzzled by its properties, yet despite countless kalpas of research, he couldn't unravel its secrets.

Then, he remembered he had inadvertently irked Su Yuan. Therefore, he stated, "If Master Seven Stars desires it, I shall present this hexagonal shield to Master Seven Stars! Should you uncover any insights later, please do share. I remain deeply curious about this artifact myself!"

"A gift? Are you certain?" Su Yuan inquired calmly.

"Indeed! I felt an immediate connection with Master Seven Stars. Naturally, I cannot accept remuneration from a fellow Daoist!" Green Forest Recluse declared grandly, flicking his hand and sending the hexagonal shield fragment directly towards Su Yuan.

Su Yuan extended his hand, caught the shard, and after a thorough examination, still failed to grasp its true essence. It was no wonder Green Forest Recluse couldn't discern the treasure's real nature.

"Heh, in that case, I shall not decline," Su Yuan responded with a smile, carefully stowing the item. He then added with a grin, "Should you require anything in the future, feel free to trade with me directly. Everything in existence can be exchanged, rather than resorting to other inefficient methods!"

Su Yuan uttered these words cheerfully before turning back to his seat.

Green Forest Recluse stood frozen. He watched Su Yuan’s retreating figure and thought to himself, *That was a close one — the Master Seven Stars had already sensed something amiss. Fortunately, I moved swiftly to build an alliance and offered a twenty-ninth-rank treasure as a token; that should suffice.*

Although Master Seven Stars had indicated that the method for mass-producing standardized equipment was available for trade, Green Forest Recluse no longer harbored any desire to pursue that particular avenue.

Snapping back to his senses, Green Forest Recluse promptly notified the other eight conspirators of the developments and recounted the encounter.

Not long after Su Yuan had returned to his seat, eight more masters approached, each presenting treasures valued at two to three kalpa units, all expressing their goodwill.

Su Yuan collected these treasures with composure and without any pretense of politeness! Thus, at this trade fair, he had not expended a single coin yet had already amassed treasures worth a total of twenty kalpa units!

That solitary hexagonal shield fragment alone could conservatively be appraised as a ninety- to ninety-three-rank treasure.

Unable to resist, he activated the Merit Points Exchange Mall and navigated to the defense supreme treasure section. Browsing from the top, he located the exchange price for a ninetieth-rank item.

[Item]: Armor of Desperate Sighs

[Rank]: Ninety-rank Supreme Quality

[Description]: An ultimate defensive armor set, designed to withstand and repeatedly repel annihilation forces up to rank ninety, mitigating damage from attacks up to rank ninety-three to a mere one thousandth.

[Merit Points]: Three hundred billion trillion Immeasurable Kalpa units

(One Immeasurable Kalpa is equivalent to three thousand kalpas)

Upon witnessing this price, Su Yuan drew in a deep breath of Chaotic Qi and immediately downed a bottle of Divine Source Wine, struggling to quell the shock coursing through him.

The valuation was astronomical! A ninety-rank supreme defensive armor commanding such immense worth, and moreover, it was denominated in merit points, making it even more precious than Chaos Jade!

Should word spread of his possession of this artifact, it would undoubtedly invite peril. Contemplating this, Su Yuan’s brow furrowed. He had acquired this treasure from Green Forest Recluse, who was inherently aware of its existence. As Green Forest’s strength grew and his understanding expanded, he would inevitably discover the treasure’s true value!

When that time arrived, managing the situation would become exceedingly difficult. Even if it wasn't worth the staggering three hundred billion trillion Immeasurable Kalpa units, it would surely command trillions of Immeasurable Kalpa units, wouldn’t it?

Great wealth stirs avarice!

A hidden danger lurked!

A wave of killing intent surged within Su Yuan. It wasn't a matter of cold-heartedness; rather, the other party knew far too much!

Su Yuan lowered his gaze, contemplating his next course of action.

Green Forest Recluse remained blissfully ignorant. He was still privately congratulating himself on having resolved the potential issue, oblivious to the fact that Su Yuan had initially decided against pursuing the matter, but Green Forest's generous offering had instead ignited Su Yuan's murderous intent towards him.

The trade fair proceeded without a hitch; all participants concluded their transactions and exchanged goods, with most displaying contented expressions.

"Has everyone concluded their trades? This banquet is drawing to a close!" Master Youhe hesitated briefly before announcing, "I have a piece of news I wish to share with you all!"

All eyes turned towards him.

Master Youhe declared, "I have successfully ascended to the rank of an Advanced Artificer, holding the thirtieth rank. After another kalpa, my destination will be the Second Frontline. Therefore, the responsibility of hosting this banquet must now be passed to another Daoist. Do any of you have recommendations?"

This declaration left the assembled crowd in a state of utter shock!

"Master Youhe, have you truly made a breakthrough?" Chongxiao exclaimed, his voice filled with astonishment.

Youhe offered a nod of confirmation, stating, "That is correct!"

His gaze swept across Chongxiao, Green Forest, Su Yuan, and the other artificers present. "Which one of you wishes to assume this hosting duty?"

A silent exchange of glances passed between them, and the lively atmosphere abruptly hushed. While the role of host at an artificer's banquet might appear to be a simple organizational position with little apparent authority, the associated network of contacts and resources was undeniably vast. Hadn't everyone just witnessed Master Youhe's advancement to the thirtieth rank? It was a widely acknowledged fact that almost every host eventually broke through to the thirtieth rank in their own right, a testament to the position's profound significance.

Although many had initially harbored aspirations to contend for the role, the mere presence of Su Yuan seemed to cast a formidable shadow over any prospective competition.

As if sensing the unspoken concerns of those around him, Su Yuan addressed the gathering publicly, "I genuinely hold no interest in presiding over such affairs. My intention is not to take on the hosting duties, and having only recently arrived in Black Flame City, I am quite unfamiliar with the intricate relationships within the city. Therefore, I will not be participating in the hosting competition."

Upon hearing his words, a collective sigh of relief rippled through the crowd.

Then, a renewed sense of purpose seemed to ignite within them. Green Forest Recluse promptly stepped forward, announcing, "Greetings. I am Green Forest, an artificer of the twenty-seventh rank. I harbor a strong interest in undertaking the hosting responsibilities and sincerely hope for everyone's support."

"I support Master Green Forest as the host!"

"My support goes to Master Green Forest as well!"

In a remarkable display of swift consensus, over thirty individuals readily expressed their agreement.

Master Youhe offered a gentle smile and then inquired of the remaining artificers, "Does anyone else wish to step forward?"

Master Chongxiao advanced with a clear intention to campaign, declaring, "I am Chongxiao. I am confident in my ability to forge a Dominator artifact of the twenty-seventh rank. I humbly request this opportunity!"

His emergence was met with a wave of applause. Particularly in light of Chongxiao's earlier public demonstration of his exceptional craftsmanship, many offered their praise and pledged their support.

Subsequently, three more individuals came forward, indicating their willingness to vie for the esteemed hosting position.

Master Youhe smiled contentedly and concluded, "For the moment, let us proceed with nominations. All attendees may cast their votes at the subsequent banquet."