Steady Cultivation: Starting With the Perk “Work Hard, Rest Hard”

Chapter 702: Jiang Town

"Haha, that's normal. Those caught in the game don't see the board. I was also born here, so I only understood some things after settling in. But really, where you came from is true freedom—entering here is like stepping into a cage!"

Huipu sighed with emotion. His cultivation level had reached the seventy-second order, which would qualify him as a big shot or even a Speaker in the Second Frontline. Yet in this small town, he was merely a member of a patrol squad.

When Huipu led him into the town, many people cast curious, probing glances their way.

Su Yuan's aura was fully exposed—a seventy-third-order cultivation level wasn't weak in this town, but it wasn't particularly strong either. It sat right at the middle tier.

However, the direction Huipu was taking Su Yuan made it easy to guess their destination: the town leader's residence.

The sharp-eyed had already figured out Su Yuan's identity.

Su Yuan, seeing the mixed living arrangements of Nothingness Dominators and Chaos Dominators, displayed a perfectly timed expression of shock and surprise.

Many passersby responded with kind smiles in return.

When they arrived at the town leader's home,

Su Yuan focused his gaze.

[Name]: Jiang Tieniu

[Realm]: 82nd-order Chaos Dominator

[Great Dao]: Chaos Force Great Dao

[Affiliation]: Subordinate faction of Nothingness Prison, Lord of Jiang Domain

"Reporting to Lord Jiang, I am patrol soldier Huipu. This person claims to be Su Yuan from the Second Frontline, with the Dao name Seven Stars. Following protocol, I have brought him to meet you."

Su Yuan clasped his hands in a respectful bow. "This humble Daoist bears the Dao name Seven Stars. Greetings, Lord Jiang!"

Jiang Tieniu looked Su Yuan up and down, then nodded affirmatively. "Not bad, you really did just come from the Second Frontline. That vibrant energy of someone moving from a sparse region to a resource-rich one, and that sharpness of having just broken through to the seventy-third order—it's exactly how I was back then."

"My name is Jiang. I also came from the Second Frontline back in the day, so I suppose I'm your senior. Just call me Brother Jiang—no need for 'Lord.'"

Su Yuan clasped his hands again. "Lord Jiang is too kind. My cultivation is low; presumptuously using such a familiar address might upset others. Please forgive me."

"Come on in first."

Jiang Tieniu waved at Huipu. "Your contribution, along with your companion's, has been recorded. You may take your leave!"

Huipu's face lit up with joy. "Yes, my lord!"

He stepped back a few paces and saw Su Yuan being led into the town leader's residence. Checking his contributions, he found they had indeed been credited—not only were this Kalpa's contributions fully filled, but even the next two Kalpas' contributions had been settled in advance.

Truly, this was a freebie credit opportunity, one that rarely came by!

Su Yuan entered Jiang Tieniu's dwelling. The interior was simple.

There were no servants—just Jiang Tieniu living alone.

A stone in the courtyard stood out prominently. It bore numerous tiny marks—fist prints, sword scars, and blade marks—each one still thick with lingering Great Dao force, the Dao charm profound and heavy.

Jiang Tieniu noticed Su Yuan's gaze and laughed. "That's my training target, haha."

Su Yuan smiled. "This stone seems to be Purple Inscription Golden Mother, refined three hundred million times, reaching a strength level of at least eighty-fifth order! For you to leave marks on it, your strength must be earth-shaking and heaven-defying!"

"You actually recognize it?" Jiang Tieniu was somewhat surprised.

"I am an artificer," Su Yuan said with a faint smile.

Jiang Tieniu showed an expression of surprise. "Impressive. Given the limited resources in the Second Frontline, managing to become an artificer with such considerable skill—truly, anyone who comes from there is a rare talent."

Su Yuan smiled lightly. "Just a beginner who has barely set foot into the divine-level artificer realm."

Jiang Tieniu was genuinely astonished now. "Impressive, truly impressive!"

He scrapped his original plans and said, "I had intended to take you on as a disciple, but I've changed my mind. I want you to become the deputy town leader of Jiang Town, and together we'll build it up!"

He paused briefly before continuing, "The First Frontline is no longer a true frontline—more accurately, it's a cage for raising gladiators! Resources are plentiful, but territory is extremely limited. If you strike out alone to claim a region, it will be incredibly difficult. But if you partner with me, the benefits will be substantial!"

Su Yuan nodded in understanding. "Lord Jiang is too generous. However, I only wish to be a carefree spirit, occasionally refining some items in my leisure. I have no desire to be deeply involved in affairs. If Lord Jiang would grant me a residence permit, I'll naturally pay my due tributes. As for the deputy town leader position, I'm unworthy to accept it."

Jiang Tieniu's smile dimmed somewhat.

He felt puzzled by Su Yuan's demeanor. If he didn't want to join Jiang Town, why reveal his artificer skills? If he did want to join, why refuse the deputy role?

After a moment's thought, Jiang Tieniu said, "Very well, then I'll follow your wishes. I have a shop with a back courtyard—I'll give it to you, Seven Stars, for residence. As long as you remain in this town, that dwelling will be yours to use. Additionally, I'll waive your tributes—you won't need to gather resources to pay them. Stay as long as you like, and as long as I'm here, you can remain indefinitely."

Su Yuan showed a surprised expression and smiled. "Thank you for your help, Lord Jiang! I don't know how to repay you."

"Haha, why not call me Brother Jiang?" Jiang Tieniu let out a hearty laugh.

"Alright, Brother Jiang is truly generous. I'll settle in Jiang Town then. Please look after me from now on!" Su Yuan said.

"Easy, easy!"

Jiang Tieniu and Su Yuan exchanged a few more pleasantries,

and then Su Yuan took his leave.

After Su Yuan left, another figure appeared beside Jiang Tieniu—a woman.

"You trust his story just like that?" the woman said.

"Heh, things like this can't be hidden. If he stays here a while, his true abilities will naturally show themselves. Besides, those promoted from the Second Frontline are all talents. If they can't become our own people, they can become high-value resources. Either way, there's no loss," Jiang Tieniu said calmly. "Just pacify him and let him stay for now. After all, once he's in here, there's no easy way out!"

The woman chuckled. "Jiang Tieniu, your appearance is truly deceptive! If I didn't know you've already killed three ascendees, I'd believe that kind-hearted face of yours."

"Oh? As deceptive as I may be, I'm no match for the Black Widow's venom, am I?"

Jiang Tieniu sneered coldly.

The woman snorted coldly in return. "If this man really is a divine-level artificer, there's no need to sell him as material. If he can forge artifacts, we can take a cut of the profits and earn even more."

"Naturally!" Jiang Tieniu said flatly.