Qian Duoduo opened the lid of the cauldron, and the Three-Pointed Double-Edged Blade immediately flew out of it. He was startled, thinking the Magic Treasure was about to fly away, and quickly grabbed the hilt. The blade then hummed, its sound reaching the ears of the surrounding Cultivators.
"This blade is extraordinary," Han Shunwen praised. "How about I take this blade as my reward for holding the fort?"
Wang Shuhuo laughed heartily, waving his hand, "Test the artifact."
The two Artifact Refiners who had brought the materials earlier entered the arena and set up a shield in the center. "An initial-level xuan weapon, the Worry-Free Shield."
One Artifact Refiner invited two Yilie Cultivators and two spectating Cultivators to enter the arena to inspect the initial-level xuan weapon, the Worry-Free Shield. Both the Yilie Cultivators and the spectating Cultivators confirmed that it was indeed a complete initial-level xuan weapon, the Worry-Free Shield.
Nascent Soul cultivators like Jiao Yuefei, Wang Shuhuo, and Han Shunwen could recognize it at a glance. The reason for this formality was to silence Jiao Yuefei, to prevent him from accusing the Refining Association of cheating.
"City Lord Jiao, whether it was successfully refined or not, shall we verify it?" Wang Shuhuo looked up and asked Jiao Yuefei.
Jiao Yuefei's eyes darted around rapidly, but at this point, he could only nod.
An Artifact Refiner picked up the Three-Pointed Double-Edged Blade and struck the Worry-Free Shield.
With a "thud," like a sharp knife piercing a fat pig, the Three-Pointed Double-Edged Blade directly split a large gash in the Worry-Free Shield.
"Oh! It's done, it's done!"
"An initial-level Profound Weapon!"
"Jin Zhendian, will you auction it? I'll offer one million."
"I'll offer one point one million."
"I'll offer one point two million."
The spectating Cultivators shouted, even more excited than Qian Duoduo. Those who couldn't see clearly from behind even jumped up to look at the Worry-Free Shield that had been split with a large gash.
Yu Yixiang also knew it was a successful refinement, her face full of smiles. She had been especially nervous at first, afraid that Qian Duoduo wouldn't succeed in refining it. Once he started refining, seeing such a fervent scene, she found it quite entertaining.
Wang Shuhuo excitedly tugged at his hair, then coughed heavily. Seeing that the two Artifact Refiners didn't react, he quietly said, "Token, robe."
The two Artifact Refiners then awoke from their shock, and one of them shouted, "Profound Weapon, initial-level."
The other took out a token and a long robe, handing them to Qian Duoduo.
These were the proof and attire of a Four-Rank initial-level Artifact Refiner.
Wang Shuhuo looked up and said with a smile to Jiao Yuefei, "City Lord, Jin Buhuan is now a Four-Rank initial-level Artifact Refiner. According to regulations, cities and sects on the Lower Road have no right to deal with Four-Rank Artifact Refiners. Therefore—"
Jiao Yuefei's lips trembled with anger, and he glared fiercely at Wang Shuhuo, slamming his right hand heavily on the city wall. A city stone shattered into several pieces, then transformed into a long rainbow, flying up the high mountain and returning to the City Lord's Mansion.
Han Shunwen stepped forward and cupped his hands to Qian Duoduo: "Young Master Jin's talent is astonishing. At such a young age, he has already entered the initial-level of the Four-Rank. His future is boundless. I am Han Shunwen, the manager of the Money House in Kongfang City, dealing in money. If Young Master ever needs anything, please feel free to command me."
Qian Duoduo hastily returned the bow, "I am immensely grateful for Boss Han's assistance just now. If you ever have any Artifact Refining needs, as long as I can do it, I promise not to refuse."
Han Shunwen smiled with satisfaction, "No problem, no problem. Come to the Money House for a visit when you have time." After speaking, he bid farewell and left.
"President, Bu Huan is extremely grateful for what happened just now." Qian Duoduo and Yu Yixiang bowed deeply to Wang Shuhuo.
Wang Shuhuo quickly helped Qian Duoduo and Yu Yixiang up, "You're too polite. You are a member of my Refining Association. How could I let anyone bully you? That City Lord's Young Master, idle all day, eating, drinking, whoring, and gambling, I've long found him an eyesore. This time, using your hand, it's just right to get rid of a menace."
"We were also a bit impulsive." Thinking back to just now, Qian Duoduo also felt a lingering fear. If Wang Shuhuo and Han Shunwen hadn't stepped in to mediate, he really didn't know how it would have ended.
"It's not youth if one isn't impulsive. Who could tolerate such a thing? Bu Huan, you should develop on the Middle Road and Upper Road. Staying on this Lower Road is too much of a waste of talent. Now that you are a Four-Rank initial-level, you have the capital to go." Wang Shuhuo continued to persuade Qian Duoduo.
"We'll see," Qian Duoduo vaguely replied.
"Where are you going now?" Wang Shuhuo chased away all the spectating Cultivators and asked Qian Duoduo cheerfully.
Qian Duoduo glanced at Yu Yixiang, remembering that she still had things to buy. They had just entered the city and had a fight without even eating.
Indeed, Yu Yixiang said, "I want to look around the market."
"Market?" Wang Shuhuo hesitated slightly. "Want to buy things? This market is also under the City Lord Jiao's jurisdiction. Be a little careful."
After thinking for a moment, Wang Shuhuo added, "I'll accompany you. City Lord Jiao has only one precious son, and he's in a fit of rage, so there's no telling what he might do."
Upon entering the market, Chu Tianqi, Zhu Junliang, Shang Jiajin, and others stood inside to greet them, "Zhendian, long time no see, we've missed you very much." They also bowed to Wang Shuhuo and Yu Yixiang.
"Why are you out?" Seeing them again, Qian Duoduo was also happy. When Qian Duoduo first arrived at the Zongdian, they only knew how to drink, gamble, and be lazy, but now they were excellent at business.
"We just heard that our Refining Spirit Sect caused a stir in Kongfang City, and we wondered if Zhendian would come here. And you really did!" Chu Tianqi chuckled.
"I won't cause you any trouble, will I?"
"This isn't causing trouble; this is giving us confidence. We're not even afraid of the City Lord, so why would we be afraid of Ba Ling Sect and Shengling Sect?" Chu Tianqi waved his hand directly.
The new Zhendian of the Zongdian hadn't shown his face, actually out of fear of causing trouble. At this time, daring to meet Qian Duoduo, an enemy of the City Lord, also required some courage.
Zhu Junliang interjected, "When we came out just now, we saw Lang Caihua and 'Flowery Skirt', and they were very polite to us."
"Strength determines status." Shang Jiajin also had a proud look on his face.
Qian Duoduo chuckled, "You all should hurry back to the shop. We're just passing through Kongfang City and will leave soon."
Waving goodbye to them, Yu Yixiang said with a smile, "You're quite a good Zhendian. You have a high status in the hearts of the staff."
"You don't know, when I first went, they wanted to bully me. I was only Qi Condensation Level Five at the time, and that orange-robed one just now, Chu Tianqi, was Condensing Qi Stage Level Eight. Seven were unconvinced, eight were indignant. I had to thoroughly discipline them, first beating them into submission. After winning a few business battles, their hearts were also convinced. You don't know, our Zongdian lost a hundred times in a row, and they knelt repeatedly, their knees went numb..."
As they walked through the market, Qian Duoduo quietly told Yu Yixiang stories of the Zongdian's business battles, making her purse her lips and chuckle.
"Oh dear, I was so busy listening to you brag that we walked too far!" Yu Yixiang playfully smiled at Qian Duoduo, "This is a female Cultivator's specialty store; you wait outside."
Qian Duoduo looked up, and indeed it was. The female Cultivator's specialty store was called "Shu E Boutiques," reportedly also having branches in Wuzhu City and Facai City, with this being a branch. The last time Yu Yixiang and Wang Meiruo came, they spent the longest time inside here.
About a quarter of an hour later, Yu Yixiang came out of the store, "Everything's bought. Let's leave the city."
Perhaps because Wang Shuhuo was accompanying them, their worries about the City Lord interfering with their shopping did not materialize.
Wang Shuhuo saw them off outside the North Gate, watched them get into the Winged Vehicle, and waved again before turning to enter the city.
Looking at his retreating figure, Qian Duoduo sincerely sighed, "Master Wang is truly a good person."
Yu Yixiang smiled, "If you weren't an Artifact Refiner, or an Artifact Refiner who couldn't advance to the Four-Rank, would he be such a good person? A good person who is only good to you when it's advantageous is not truly a good person."
Her words truly stumped Qian Duoduo.
Qian Duoduo thought for a moment, then asked, "If Master Wang stepping forward to block the City Lord and save us doesn't count as being a good person, then what do you say is a truly good person?"