Previously on Steady Cultivation: Starting With the Perk “Work Hard, Rest Hard”...
The deputy city lord of Blackflame City, Jia Jicheng, sought out Su Yuan. Concerned about an approaching group of Scavengers, he offered Su Yuan ten percent of the battle's Merit Points to oversee the city's defense, which Su Yuan accepted conditionally. Jia Jicheng then reported to the old City Lord, who revealed his own cultivation had reached the forty-fifth order and entrusted Jia Jicheng with the decision of whether to deploy Su Yuan. Meanwhile, Su Yuan successfully forged two exclusive Dominator Artifacts for his client, Zeng An, one of which was a Peerless-Grade Dominator Artifact.
With a booming laugh that echoed his hearty satisfaction, Zeng An exited the shop, two Dominator Artifacts held firmly in his grasp. As he stepped into the bustling street, he intentionally let loose the formidable auras emanating from both artifacts.
"Many thanks to Master Seven Stars for forging both a twenty-seventh-order premium-grade Dominator Artifact and this peerless-grade Dominator Artifact!" Zeng An exclaimed, his voice filled with genuine gratitude. He deliberately showcased his newly acquired treasures, hoping to amplify the reputation of the Seven Stars Artifacting Shop.
The commotion drew the attention of customers browsing within the shop and passersby on the street, who turned with looks of surprise and keen interest. One by one, they began to congregate around.
"Are these the latest creations from Master Seven Stars?" a curious voice inquired.
Zeng An chuckled heartily. "Indeed, they are the masterpieces of Master Seven Stars. The master has once again forged a peerless-grade Dominator Artifact! I was incredibly fortunate to be able to acquire this one!" He proudly lifted the Town Sealing Dominator Artifact, allowing the onlookers a clearer view of the magnificent treasure.
Witnessing this display, many in the crowd began to see the Seven Stars Artifacting Shop in a completely new light. While they had previously heard whispers and rumors, seeing the tangible proof before their eyes instilled a newfound belief in the shop's capabilities.
Zeng An offered a slight smile, a flick of his sleeve signaling his departure now that his purpose was fulfilled. Just then, Li Chun emerged from the shop.
"Esteemed guest Zeng An, please grant me a moment!" Li Chun called out.
Zeng An halted his intended departure, turning back with a curious expression. "Does Master Seven Stars require something further from me?"
"We were wondering if the esteemed guest would be willing to temporarily lend your Dominator Artifact to the shop for display over the next few days? We wish to showcase it to more customers, to solidify their belief in Master Seven Stars' exceptional skill!" Li Chun explained earnestly.
"Ah, I see!" Zeng An said, his understanding dawning. With a generous wave of his hand, he declared, "This is a small matter. I readily agree!"
Li Chun's face lit up with joy. "Furthermore, we intend to establish a Peerless-Grade Ranking List. Any peerless-grade Dominator Artifact forged by the master will be featured on this list. Clients can choose to be listed with their name, anonymously, or not at all. As the very first client to successfully obtain a peerless-grade Dominator Artifact, you have the honor of being the inaugural entry. Would you be amenable to this?"
Upon hearing this, Zeng An's eyes sparkled. Such an initiative was truly brilliant! It would not only benefit Master Seven Stars and foster a positive relationship but also significantly enhance his own renown, proving immensely advantageous for his future endeavors.
With this thought solidified, Zeng An immediately nodded. "This is an excellent proposal. I naturally have no objections."
Li Chun was overjoyed and promptly escorted Zeng An back into the shop. In a specially designated area, a stone stele was erected!
Li Chun then inscribed the likeness of Zeng An's Dominator Artifact onto the ranking list, thus creating the very first entry on the Peerless-Grade Ranking List.
The inscription read: Ranking, Name, Grade, Client Signature, Remarks.
1, Town Sealing Pagoda (provisional name), Twenty-Seventh Order Peerless-Grade, Zeng An, With sincere thanks for the master's expert forging.
A brief description, the image of a peerless-grade Dominator Artifact, and a client's signature—this was a powerful endorsement! Individually, one endorsement might not carry immense weight, but as the list grew, it would transform into an esteemed compilation capable of spreading throughout the entirety of the Third Frontline!
Every owner of a Dominator Artifact featured on this list would, in effect, be vouching for Master Seven Stars' unparalleled forging prowess!
Su Yuan observed Li Chun's actions. Li Chun's innovative idea was genuinely commendable. He felt a sense of satisfaction witnessing an initiative that could bolster his fame, acknowledging that Li Chun possessed a keen intellect.
This thought of Li Chun's cleverness reminded Su Yuan of his subordinate, Song Cai.
Activating Mental Echo, Su Yuan focused his thoughts and gained insight into Song Cai's current situation. At that very moment, Song Cai had ascended to the position of Financial Director within the Seven Stars Dao Court, overseeing the Seven Star Trading Association that spanned the vast Taihao Chaos. While he managed the business with remarkable proficiency, his cultivation realm remained stagnant at the second stage of Dao Venerable, with a breakthrough to Chaos Dominator appearing distant.
"Within a confined realm like Taihao Chaos, attempting to reach the Chaos Dominator stage primarily through the Transaction Dao Principle is exceedingly arduous!" Su Yuan mused.
After a moment of contemplation, Su Yuan summoned Song Cai to his presence.
Song Cai felt a sudden displacement of his surroundings, finding himself in an unfamiliar locale. However, upon recognizing the familiar presence of Su Yuan, he understood he had been summoned by his Master and immediately offered a respectful greeting. "Song Cai pays his respects to the Master."
Su Yuan offered a nod, stating, "Song Cai, this locale is Black Flame City, a metropolis bustling with over a million Chaos Dominators. All who pass through are of this caliber. I've summoned you here to lend a hand in my shop and manage certain affairs. However, your presence is confined strictly within the shop's perimeter; you are forbidden from venturing onto the streets. Do you comprehend?"
A tremor of shock ran through Song Cai, and he immediately responded with a raised voice, "Your subordinate understands!"
"Excellent."
With a gesture, Su Yuan bestowed a layer of [Great Power Bearing] upon Song Cai!
This bestowed a significant buff, rendering Song Cai impervious to the oppressive pressure exerted by Chaos Dominators and granting him immunity to damage from any Chaos Dominator below the twentieth order.
Furthermore, [Stealth Walker] was employed to cloak Song Cai's aura, rendering him undetectable to others as long as he refrained from engaging in combat.
Su Yuan then summoned Li Chun, instructing him to escort Song Cai.
Li Chun regarded Song Cai with a degree of curiosity, pondering the origins of this new subordinate his master had acquired.
Had Li Chun been aware that it was precisely due to the two commendable ideas he had recently proposed that Su Yuan had recalled his former subordinate and relocated him here, potentially to usurp his own position, one can only imagine his reaction.
Meanwhile, on another front.
Lin Feng and the six other disciples who had recently ascended to the Chaos Dominator realm had barely ventured out of Taihao Chaos when they encountered a disheveled group in retreat: the Taixuan Dominator, Elder Che Chi, Wuyazi, the Stone Dominator, the Moon Dominator, and Dominator Jiemeng.
Elder Che Chi, the Stone Dominator, and the Moon Dominator appeared to be in the direst state. Their forms were ethereal, their auras remarkably faint, giving the impression they had only just been resurrected from their Life-bound Chaos.
Wuyazi seemed somewhat better off, yet he was missing an arm. Theoretically, beings at the Dominator level should be beyond such grievous injury, but Wuyazi's severed limb appeared irrevocably lost.
Dominator Jiemeng's countenance was ashen, her expression utterly vacant, as if her very soul had been drained.
The Taixuan Dominator was comparatively the most intact. His aura remained relatively stable, and his cultivation realm had even seen a slight improvement, though his demeanor was equally somber.
As Lin Feng and his companions materialized, they observed these six figures engaged in an intense, agitated discussion amidst the Nothingness.
Lin Feng caught fragments of their conversation, such as "We must not proceed further!", "If only we had known, we would have remained behind", "The Scavengers' methods are utterly bizarre!", and "Simply surviving is a victory in itself.".
The Taixuan Dominator was the first to register Lin Feng and his group, his expression a mixture of surprise and complexity as he inquired, "You all managed to break through simultaneously?"
The other Dominators ceased their discourse and turned their gazes, astonishment registering on all their faces.
They had been out of touch with the events within Taihao Chaos for an extended period and had not anticipated the emergence of new Chaos Dominators, let alone seven at once!
Lin Feng offered a nod, explaining, "We received our teacher's assistance and successfully achieved our breakthroughs."
"Seven Stars? That explains it. Remaining within Taihao Chaos, he truly is unparalleled in nurturing disciples!" the Stone Dominator remarked with a sigh.
"Ah, my teacher departed a considerable time ago. He is no longer within Taihao Chaos!" Lin Feng clarified, shaking his head.
He then inquired, "I wonder what transpired with you esteemed seniors? Your condition does not appear to be favorable!"
