Steady Cultivation: Starting With the Perk “Work Hard, Rest Hard” Chapter 642: The Third Speaker's Reward Mission

Su Yuan's consciousness returned, and he found himself adrift in a boundless void.

As his gaze swept across the emptiness, a colossal figure in the distance immediately captured his attention.

The aura emanating from this being was overwhelmingly terrifying. Countless manifestations of the Chaos Great Dao swirled turbuliously around its form, paralleled by an unending cascade of universes being born and extinguished in its vicinity.

A pair of eyes, as immense as the cosmos itself, seemed capable of penetrating all existence and secrets.

It was at this juncture that Su Yuan became aware of other figures materializing around him. Each possessed a cultivation level hovering near the 40th tier, with some exceeding and others falling just short. A distinct aura of superiority and command emanated from every one of them.

Information gleaned from his City Lord Seal confirmed his suspicion: these were all fellow City Lords!

Their sheer number was staggering, easily exceeding one hundred thousand!

That old rascal, the former City Lord, had claimed the Third Frontline only had a hundred districts. With ten cities per district, that alone would account for ten thousand districts, and here he was looking at well over a hundred thousand!

At a specific point in time, as if by design, everyone had converged.

"I am Xie Tingfeng, the Third Speaker of the Second Frontline!"

The declaration sent tremors through the assembled City Lords, causing them all to bow in unison, their hearts pounding.

"We pay our respects to the Third Speaker!"

Su Yuan followed suit, offering his deference to the formidable presence before him. However, a subtle thread of suspicion began to weave through his thoughts.

Why would the Third Speaker personally convene them? This indicated a matter of significant gravity. What exactly was unfolding? He had never received any hint of such an event from the former City Lord!

Curses! That old man had played him for a fool!

Su Yuan grumbled inwardly.

Third Speaker Xie Tingfeng continued, his voice even, "The purpose of this summons is to urge you all to intensify your efforts in soldier cultivation. Over the recent Kalpas, the soldier supply has fallen three percent below previous standards, thereby impacting the overall defensive capabilities of the Second Frontline. You are hereby commanded, on the foundation of restoring previous quotas, to additionally increase the supply by two percent. Are there any objections?"

Despite the outwardly calm demeanor of the assembled City Lords, the air crackled with an unspoken resentment and weariness.

The Third Speaker, perceiving the City Lords' underlying discontent, addressed them calmly, "As a reward for your compliance, for every one percent increase in quantity, you shall be granted ten thousand Kalpa units. An increase of two percent equates to twenty thousand Kalpa units. Three percent yields forty thousand. Four percent results in eighty thousand. This continues exponentially, with no ceiling! These are special Merit Points, usable for access to the exclusive treasury and the acquisition of rare treasures."

A spark ignited in everyone's eyes upon hearing this. If there were incentives, then the task was manageable!

At worst, they could provisionally fund the soldier cultivation themselves and then utilize the rewards to offset their expenses. Even a one-to-one exchange would result in no loss. The treasures available in the special treasury were universally recognized as exceptionally rare commodities.

Su Yuan's spirit stirred at this revelation, prompting him to instantly review Black Flame City's historical requisitions.

Each Kalpa, the city was obligated to produce three hundred thousand soldiers at or above the 29th tier!

"No wonder I rarely see the more powerful Dominators back in Black Flame City. They've all journeyed to the Second Frontline in pursuit of greater opportunities!"

Legions upon legions had departed for the Second Frontline to engage in the ongoing conflicts.

Thus, Black Flame City was merely an initial stepping stone, a rudimentary training ground.

And he, at present, held the position of village chief for this very starting zone.

"A one percent increase in the assigned task translates to three thousand additional soldiers!"

This increment, while not astronomically large in itself, presented a significant challenge considering the city's total populace. Black Flame City currently housed a permanent resident count of just over three million. Three hundred thousand soldiers already constituted one-tenth of this population!

Adding a further three thousand to this burden was far from a trivial undertaking.

However, the compensatory reward was undeniably substantial. The baseline incentive for furnishing three hundred thousand soldiers was also ten thousand Kalpa units, but this sum was typically fragmented amongst the city's mid-level and upper-echelon officials, leaving little for him. Yet, securing an additional three thousand troops would yield another ten thousand Kalpa units. The reward was excessively generous, presenting a valuable, albeit demanding, opportunity.

"For me, it's not an overwhelming burden, but for many other City Lords, this represents a significant financial windfall!"

Su Yuan mused.

Indeed, the other City Lords appeared profoundly enticed, their visages shifting to one of evident delight.

Observing their reactions, the Third Speaker offered a subtle nod.

"Furthermore, an announcement from the Seventh Speaker: whoever can contribute talents like alchemists, artificers, and others will receive corresponding rewards. For instance, a single 30th-tier Senior Artifact Refining Master referral can yield a thousand Kalpa units!" The Third Speaker announced with composure.

Upon hearing this, the City Lords became even more animated. The rewards offered this time were exceptionally generous, stirring excitement and prompting nearly all City Lords to contemplate strategies for increasing their soldier recruitment.

Su Yuan, upon hearing this, was also taken aback. He had not anticipated such a substantial reward for a single Artifact Refining Master, especially since it was merely for a referral, requiring no personal investment from the referrer. He realized that if Master Youhe, currently in Black Flame City, were to be recommended to the Second Frontline, he would effortlessly pocket a thousand Kalpa units.

This highlighted the significant advantages that came with status; one could reap substantial benefits without direct involvement. Tangible achievements, he mused, would undoubtedly bring even greater rewards.

Su Yuan contemplated his next move, feeling the necessity of implementing his own measures. His primary motivation wasn't the rewards themselves, but rather the safeguarding of his city's basic foundation. Without competitive incentives, he feared his population would be drawn away to other cities.

"Ah, never mind. I can already earn a significant sum through artifact refining. Why get involved in all this complicated business?"

Su Yuan chuckled, shaking his head, nearly swayed by the Third Speaker's pronouncements. However, a flicker of curiosity about the actual treasures within the special treasury remained. If the contents proved valuable enough for exchange, he wouldn't hesitate to invest in cultivating more people.

With the conclusion of these two important announcements, the Third Speaker promptly dispelled everyone's consciousness, ending the meeting.

"City Lord? City Lord?"

Jia Jicheng gently called out beside him.

Su Yuan's thoughts returned to the present, and he responded, "The Third Speaker of the Second Frontline convened a meeting for all City Lords. I have just received the latest directives."

The three Deputy City Lords adopted serious expressions upon hearing this.

"There are primarily two objectives: Firstly, increase the cultivation of reserve soldiers to be dispatched to the Second Frontline. Secondly, foster the development of more high-tier talents, including artificers, alchemists, enhancers, and similar professions," Su Yuan stated calmly.

Jia Jicheng inquired, "City Lord, are there any rewards associated with these tasks?"

"Certainly. Beyond the baseline of three hundred thousand, a one percent increase in soldiers will earn a reward of ten thousand Kalpa units. Each subsequent one percent increase will double the reward, with no upper limit. Furthermore, a single high-tier talent is valued at one thousand Kalpa units," Su Yuan replied.

He then added casually, "I'm not particularly concerned with these rewards myself. You can take the initiative to cultivate them. For anyone you cultivate yourselves, I will only claim ten percent of the reward; the remainder is yours!"

Addressing Jia Jicheng directly, he elaborated, "For instance, Old Jia, if you were to independently cultivate an additional three thousand soldiers, you would personally receive nine thousand Kalpa units. Should you and others collectively cultivate six thousand, Old Jia, your share would be one thousand three hundred and fifty Kalpa units based on the cumulative reward distribution. Do you understand?"

"This... is this truly what you mean?"

All three Deputy City Lords widened their eyes, disbelief etched on their faces.

"Indeed, it is! Very well, I shall entrust this matter to you!" With his parting words, Su Yuan departed, leaving them to their deliberations.

The gazes of the three Deputy City Lords immediately ignited with fervent ambition.