Steady Cultivation: Starting With the Perk “Work Hard, Rest Hard” Chapter 620: The Sudden Battle of Blackflame City

Su Yuan knitted his brows. "A small contingent of Scavengers? Since you've already alerted the Alliance, what are you apprehensive about? With Black Flame City's formidable million-strong army, fending them off should be well within your capabilities, correct?"

Jia Jicheng offered a wry smile. "My concern stems from the possibility of exceptionally potent Scavengers being part of their ranks. Should their strength prove overwhelming, our defenses might falter. Even if we manage to repel them, the cost in lives and resources would be catastrophic! If you, Esteemed Senior, were to lend your oversight to our defenses, we would gladly allocate ten percent of the Merit Points earned from the defensive engagement to you. Even if your intervention proves unnecessary in the end, the full amount will be transferred!"

Upon hearing this proposal, Su Yuan's interest was piqued.

The Merit Points to be gained from such a large-scale battle would undoubtedly be considerable, yet the associated peril remained an unknown quantity. One could only speculate about the caliber of the beings that might have ventured forth.

However, bolstered by the formidable protection of his ninety-order defensive artifact and the power amplification provided by Zhan Tian, holding back one or two Scavengers of a higher level should not pose an insurmountable challenge.

After a brief period of contemplation, Su Yuan declared, "I am currently engaged in secluded cultivation within Black Flame City. Should a dire threat materialize, you may activate this command talisman. If, at that juncture, I assess that I am capable of confronting the danger, I shall intervene to provide assistance!"

With that, Su Yuan presented a command talisman to Jia Jicheng.

Jia Jicheng hastily secured the talisman, but by the time he looked up again, Su Yuan's figure had already vanished.

He then proceeded out of the chaotic zone surrounding the Chaos Stele and encountered the cultivator assigned to guard the area.

"I must report this development to the City Lord. The commitment of ten percent of the defensive battle's Merit Points was made without prior authorization, and I require the City Lord's approval."

Deputy City Lord Jia harbored a strong sense of optimism regarding this matter. The City Lord himself was merely at the fortieth-order. Upon learning of a forty-fifth-order expert overseeing the city's defense, he would undoubtedly be elated.

He swiftly made his way to the deepest reaches of Black Flame City, where, unexpectedly, a modest courtyard was situated.

Within this courtyard, an elderly man was diligently tending to a small patch of soil, much like a humble farmer.

Growing within this plot were seven Nothingness Spiritual Plants, each receiving the old man's meticulous attention.

"City Lord! City Lord! Jia has urgent news to relay!" Jia Jicheng hurried forward.

"What troubles you, to arrive in such a state of agitation?" the old farmer inquired, his expression one of placidity.

"I have just encountered an expert possessing a forty-fifth-order True Intent comprehension at the Chaos Stele!" Jia Jicheng exclaimed with palpable excitement. "Remarkably, he ascended directly from the forty-first-order region to the forty-fifth-order in a single progression! It is utterly astonishing!"

The old farmer's eyes widened slightly with surprise. "Indeed?"

"I witnessed it with my own eyes! He broke through consecutively from the forty-first-order area, achieving the forty-fifth-order!" Jia Jicheng paused momentarily before elaborating, "I extended an invitation for him to assist in defending against the impending arrival of a small group of Scavengers. In return, I offered him ten percent of the total Merit Points from the engagement. I must seek your approval for this arrangement!"

The old farmer nodded his assent. "Very well, a mere ten percent of the reward is insignificant. When weighed against the potential devastation that Black Flame City might face, material wealth is but a trivial concern!"

"This is the command talisman he provided, instructing that it be activated in a moment of crisis. Should he deem victory attainable, he will manifest!"

Jia Jicheng presented the talisman.

"You shall retain possession of it and exercise your judgment when the critical moment arrives! If truly formidable adversaries emerge, I will be compelled to take the field myself. In such circumstances, I would be unable to assess the broader tactical situation and would lack the time to activate a command talisman."

The old City Lord returned the talisman to Jia Jicheng's custody.

A palpable sense of responsibility immediately settled upon Jia Jicheng. This was a testament to the old City Lord's confidence in him, a trust he could not afford to betray.

The old City Lord sought to reassure him. "A detachment from the Second Frontline is en route to provide reinforcement. You need not be overly concerned. It is unlikely we shall require the activation of this talisman under the circumstances."

Jia Jicheng's lips twitched subtly. "Typically, when such assurances are given, it invariably signifies that its use *will* be necessitated! The situation on the Second Frontline is also precarious, is it not? The Scavenger presence is escalating!"

"The situation is not yet that dire; why are you fretting so much!" The old City Lord dismissed him with a wave of his hand. "Be gone!"

"Yes, sir!"

Jia Jicheng offered an apologetic smile and withdrew from the confines of the courtyard.

In the courtyard, the elder who resembled a farmer meticulously tended to the Nothingness Spiritual Roots, immersing himself in comprehending the profound Life Great Dao contained within them.

Spiritual plants that could flourish in the void were inherently imbued with the mysterious Chaos True Intent.

From these seven Nothingness Spiritual Plants, his comprehension of True Intent had already progressed by five orders.

Consequently, his cultivation level had advanced beyond the fortieth-order, now standing at the forty-fifth.

He chose to keep this advancement a secret. After all, it was only natural for the old City Lord to possess hidden strengths.

Meanwhile, on the other side.

Su Yuan, returning to the Seven Stars Artifacting Shop, promptly summoned his first client for a commissioned artifact forging.

Before long, Zeng An arrived in haste.

Within the private room, Zeng An posed his question with a hint of anxiety, "Master Seven Stars, has the forging concluded successfully?"

His concern wasn't about the feasibility of the forging, as Su Yuan had guaranteed its completion. Instead, he was focused on the caliber of the finished artifacts.

Su Yuan offered a gentle smile. "Naturally, the forging was a success. Behold, they are ready!"

Zeng An turned his gaze, spotting two transparent enclosures in the distance. Within each, a treasure hovered—one a miniature pagoda, the other a lustrous bead.

Zeng An's face lit up with delight. "Master Seven Stars, I am astonished by your swift completion of the forging!"

"Haha, I am honored to have met the commission. You may take them now!" Su Yuan chuckled.

Zeng An cautiously approached the bead. Reaching into the enclosure and retrieving it, he was immediately enveloped by an immense surge of Heavy Water Intent.

Instantly channeling his Chaos Origin into the artifact, Zeng An found the refinement process to be effortless, the Dominator Artifact feeling like an extension of his own being. It required minimal comprehension, allowing for immediate use!

This was an Exclusive Dominator Artifact, intricately crafted with his Origin Crystal as its core, ensuring perfect synergy with his Chaos Origin.

Next, Zeng An proceeded to activate the treasure.

A domain of Heavy Water instantly materialized, covering a specific area. Within this domain, Zeng An felt an unparalleled comfort, akin to a fish in water, with a significant increase in his power. Conversely, any other individual caught within its expanse would face restricted movement and a host of debilitating effects!

"This is a twenty-seventh-order Peerless-Grade Dominator Artifact! Its quality surpasses that of any other Dominator Artifact I currently possess!"

Zeng An was ecstatic; he had truly hit the jackpot!

Furthermore, this artifact possessed inherent potential for growth. As he advanced to the twenty-eighth or twenty-ninth order in the future, its capabilities could be readily enhanced.

Securing the water bead, he then retrieved the second Dominator Artifact.

Upon its emergence, the small pagoda began to expand without limit, reaching an astonishing height of several million light-years—and this was merely its base form! Its size could increase even further with the activation of its internal Chaos Dao Patterns!

A Suppression and Sealing-type Dominator Artifact!

Zeng An eagerly commenced its refinement. Upon sensing the potent Chaos Dao Patterns within, he was utterly dumbfounded. "Th-this… this is a Peerless-Grade Chaos Dominator Artifact?"

Su Yuan responded with a subtle smile, "My luck was exceptional today; I managed to forge a Peerless-Grade Dominator Artifact purely by chance."

Zeng An felt an overwhelming surge of joy, bordering on delirium! A Peerless-Grade Chaos Dominator Artifact commanded a value several, even over ten, times greater than an ordinary Peerless-Grade artifact. He had indeed stumbled upon an incredible fortune this time!