"I am the Seven Stars Dao Sovereign, ruler of this realm. Have you prepared your last words before trespassing?" Su Yuan spoke calmly.
Feidu and Kong Ming exchanged glances.
"A misunderstanding! This is all a misunderstanding!" Feidu immediately said. "I'm willing to compensate the Dao Sovereign for any losses! My uncle is the commander of the Feilian Legion, a mid-stage Taiyi Golden Immortal who has long admired the Seven Stars Dao Sovereign's reputation. He sent me to congratulate the opening of the Seven Stars Market and prepared gifts! Please give us this opportunity!"
Kong Ming also added: "I too am willing to make amends. My uncle leads the Feipeng Legion, also a mid-stage Taiyi Golden Immortal. On his behalf, I've brought generous gifts!"
Su Yuan regarded them silently.
Immortal Hidden Star glared at them.
Feidu quickly added: "I'll also compensate this fellow daoist!" He looked at Immortal Hidden Star.
"Same here!" Kong Ming echoed.
"Speak." Su Yuan said.
Feidu relaxed slightly and said: "I offer a low-grade acquired spiritual treasure as compensation. Additionally, Commander Feilian is willing to provide a mid-grade acquired spiritual treasure! Personally, I'll give this fellow daoist a low-grade Golden Immortal artifact as compensation!"
"I offer a bottle of low-grade acquired spiritual pills. Our commander also instructed me to gift a bottle of mid-grade acquired spiritual pills, plus a bottle of low-grade Golden Immortal pills!" Kong Ming added.
Acquired spiritual treasures refer to man-made artifacts containing one or more complete law restrictions. Their grade depends on the number of law restrictions they contain.
Anyone who refines them can utilize the corresponding power through these law restrictions. If the laws align, the power multiplies.
Low-grade Golden Immortal artifacts refer to treasures with Golden Immortal-level power that don't necessarily contain complete laws—they might just have certain formation restrictions, dao patterns, or runes, making them limited in use with low growth potential.
Acquired spiritual treasures are clearly ten times or more valuable than Golden Immortal artifacts.
Acquired spiritual pills are similar, containing complete law dao charm with astonishing effects that activate with minimal refinement. Golden Immortal pills mostly require the user to refine them personally—if one's realm is insufficient or attributes incompatible, they can't even be consumed.
After they finished speaking, Su Yuan continued watching them calmly.
"Double the compensation. Keep your gifts." Su Yuan said lightly.
"Yes! Of course!" Feidu quickly agreed.
Kong Ming also bowed his head obediently.
Su Yuan released the seals on them.
Feidu took out a low-grade acquired spiritual treasure and two star-type immortal artifacts, then said awkwardly: "I don't have a second low-grade acquired spiritual treasure on me. Please allow me to return and send the remaining treasures later!"
"Same here!" Kong Ming added reluctantly.
Su Yuan gazed at them and slowly said: "You may leave."
Feidu and Kong Ming hastily departed the Seven Stars Market, each boarding an immortal boat and fleeing in different directions.
Only then did Immortal Hidden Star bow and ask: "Dao Sovereign, why let them go?"
Su Yuan waved his hand: "Our current strength is insufficient to make enemies. Unless we can annihilate both the enemies and their backing forces, it's unwise to offend them too severely."
Immortal Hidden Star was startled—in other words, if they had enough strength, wouldn't they have killed these two and destroyed their factions? He had thought the Dao Sovereign was kind, but apparently misjudged!
Su Yuan casually pushed the two low-grade Golden Immortal artifacts and two bottles of low-grade Golden Immortal pills toward Hidden Star: "Take these to refine. They're all star-type—seems they came prepared."
Immortal Hidden Star rejoiced: "Thank you for your generosity, Dao Sovereign!"
"You earned it."
Su Yuan then examined the low-grade acquired spiritual treasure in his hand, channeling magic power into it and quickly receiving information.
Low-grade acquired spiritual treasure—Star Robe, containing three acquired stellar law restrictions with an innate defensive ability: Immortal Starlight. When danger approaches, it activates automatically to prevent sneak attacks.
The Immortal Starlight can block hundreds of Golden Immortal-level attacks and reduce Taiyi Golden Immortal attacks by thirty percent until the light shatters.
It can amplify magic power—with this Star Robe's enhancement, his strength doubles. For acquired spiritual treasures, the first piece provides the greatest boost—additional pieces have diminishing returns.
Su Yuan channeled magic power into it and began refining.
The first restriction was quickly refined. Su Yuan casually draped it over himself—the robe's appearance shifted to his preferred style as he continued channeling magic to refine the remaining restrictions.
The low-grade acquired spiritual pills were Star Pills, rich in stellar law dao charm, greatly beneficial for enhancing magic power cultivation.
Nearby, Immortal Hidden Star asked: "Dao Sovereign, were they serious about those gifts? They'd actually give mid-grade acquired spiritual treasures?"
Su Yuan smiled: "Mid-grade acquired spiritual treasures are rare even for Taiyi Golden Immortals. To give them away so freely—those two commanders must have grand designs. Our small operation shouldn't get involved in their schemes."
Hidden Star nodded in realization.
Su Yuan added: "Continue guarding the market. I'll meet our new friends."
Hidden Star was startled but solemnly nodded.
After Hidden Star withdrew, Su Yuan gazed deeply into the spatial turbulence.
Where two strands of consciousness had connected, new consciousness now appeared.
He extended his awareness.
Both Feidu and Kong Ming now had additional incarnations beside them.
"Uncle! I almost died!" Feidu lamented.
"What happened?"
"The Seven Stars Realm actually has a Taiyi Golden Immortal hidden there! Kong Ming and I were instantly sealed without any chance to resist! Fortunately, he probably feared the legions and you—he just took two low-grade acquired spiritual treasures as compensation and let me go. But he refused the gifts you prepared!"
"So there really is a Taiyi Golden Immortal!" Commander Feilian sighed.
"How did you guess, Uncle?" Feidu asked curiously.
"That Seven Stars Market isn't as simple as it seems. That method of transporting guests—Golden Immortals probably couldn't manage it. It would require at least Taiyi Golden Immortal-level power or treasures. So I suspected a Taiyi Golden Immortal was involved." He paused. "Didn't I tell you to confirm a Taiyi Golden Immortal's presence before offering gifts? How did you offend them?"
Feidu smiled bitterly: "Who knew they hid so deeply? I couldn't detect any trace of a Taiyi Golden Immortal. If not for personally experiencing that pressure and instant defeat, I wouldn't have believed it! But since he refused the gifts, what should we do now?"
"It seems I must visit personally for proper discussions. Let's turn back!" Commander Feilian said.
"But..." Feidu hesitated.
"If he spared you once, he's reasonable. With my incarnation accompanying you, what's there to fear?" Commander Feilian said.
Feidu could only reluctantly agree: "Fine, Uncle. Please don't be too aggressive—if talks fail, that's minor, but if I get killed, that's major!"
Feilian ignored him, looking ahead.
With no choice, Feidu turned his boat back toward the Seven Stars Market.
After some contemplation, Su Yuan stepped into the spatial turbulence.
The violent spatial currents were blocked by layers of mirrors surrounding him, unable to harm him at all.
Su Yuan deliberately extended a finger into the turbulence—the cutting spatial currents couldn't leave a single mark!
This was the durability of a Golden Immortal's body, capable of enduring prolonged exposure to spatial turbulence.
Soon, he arrived at a specific point in the turbulence and stood with hands behind his back.
After traveling some distance, Feidu's demon boat spotted a figure ahead—none other than Su Yuan.
"That's the Seven Stars Dao Sovereign! Why is he here?" Feidu wondered.
"Seems he anticipated us," Commander Feilian said indifferently.
He stepped out of the boat, his incarnation easily traversing the spatial turbulence until he stood near Su Yuan.
Su Yuan turned from observing the stars to face the newcomer—a black-robed middle-aged man wreathed in dark energy, his deep eyes fixed unsettlingly on Su Yuan.
Commander Feilian was surprised to recognize that this wasn't the Dao Sovereign's true body, but a second primordial spirit.
The difference was apparent to him.
Clearly, the Seven Stars Dao Sovereign was cautious, unwilling to meet in person.
"Feilian greets you, fellow daoist!" Commander Feilian clasped his hands.
Su Yuan returned the gesture: "So it's Commander Feilian. To meet in this vast spatial turbulence—our connection must be deep."
Hearing this, Feilian realized with alarm that Su Yuan had precisely tracked their location—highly unusual!
He examined Feidu and his demon boat but found nothing amiss. How had their path been pinpointed?
Another display of power.
Commander Feilian laughed heartily: "Indeed, our connection runs deep. I've long heard of the Seven Stars Dao Sovereign—meeting you today is truly an honor."
Su Yuan's lips twitched—he'd only cultivated for fifty years! This "long heard" was pure nonsense.
[Ding. Fame value +975]
Well, perhaps "long" meant since recently.
Su Yuan smiled: "No need for formalities, Fellow Daoist Feilian. Speak your mind."
Impressed by Su Yuan's directness, Feilian said solemnly: "I have a business proposal. Would you hear it?"
"Please elaborate."
"I'll provide rare demon realm resources for your Seven Stars Market to sell, giving you twenty percent of proceeds!"
Su Yuan said calmly: "Our market's capacity is limited—we can't handle large volumes. And twenty percent is too high. Half a percent suffices."
"Half a percent?" Feilian was stunned—this was practically just a handling fee.
"So you're willing to sell?"
"My Seven Stars Market remains neutral—anyone may trade here. This arrangement is acceptable."
Feilian studied Su Yuan deeply, his estimation rising.
What Feilian didn't know was that Su Yuan cared less about profit than the spreading reputation.
Finally, they agreed to a consignment deal where Su Yuan's Seven Stars Pagoda would handle sales without liability for volume, taking only five percent commission.
In truth, Su Yuan knew Feidu's real trading partners were the Feipeng Legion—they were just using him as intermediary.
Hence his willingness to lower fees for long-term gains.
Sure enough, after their departure, Kong Ming arrived with the Feipeng commander's incarnation for identical terms.
Su Yuan accepted this arrangement at five percent commission too.
After finalizing matters, the Feipeng commander said: "Fellow Daoist, would you accept a commission?"
"Oh? What might that be?" Su Yuan asked neutrally.
The Feipeng commander lowered his voice: "I've discovered a secret site in the spatial turbulence containing great treasures. We're organizing an expedition, but I must remain with the legion. I invite you to join—after success, you'd receive thirty percent share and first pick of treasures!"
Su Yuan's eyes remained calm: "Fellow Daoist Feipeng, I've lived in seclusion for years with no interest in adventures. I must decline."
He added: "Moreover, I swear by my dao heart not to disclose this to any being for ten thousand years."
The Feipeng commander sighed regretfully: "What a pity. Until we meet again, Fellow Daoist."
Su Yuan clasped hands: "Until fate reunites us."
With that, the immortal realm faction also withdrew.
Su Yuan stepped back into his cave dwelling, facing his true body.
The true body extended a hand as the second primordial spirit produced the low-grade acquired spiritual pills.
After careful inspection confirming their safety, Su Yuan's true body consumed one pill while the second primordial spirit continued refining the Star Robe.
True to their name, the acquired spiritual pills' dao charm merged effortlessly, requiring minimal refinement.
Nine golden core stars voraciously absorbed the medicinal energy, steadily improving their grade.
After consuming all acquired spiritual pills over several days, his true body's cultivation crossed the threshold into early Golden Immortal realm!
Now Su Yuan's true body had also reached Golden Immortal level.
"Excellent!" Su Yuan couldn't help exclaiming.
One low-grade acquired spiritual pill saved him hundreds of millions of years of cultivation!
Such pills were exceedingly rare, however.
As he pondered this, Immortal Hidden Star arrived seeking audience.
Su Yuan admitted him.
Immortal Hidden Star carried a mirror and a pill bottle.
"Dao Sovereign, Demon Monarch Feidu and Golden Immortal Kong Ming have sent the remaining compensation."
Su Yuan smiled slightly: "Good."
With a wave, he collected the items.
Then Su Yuan pointed at Hidden Star, condensing a golden manual.
"This is [Stellar Reversal]—Big Dipper Edition. Study it—if mastered completely, you may comprehend 109 stellar law essences, advancing your law realm to Golden Immortal peak! As reward for guarding the Seven Stars Market, I'll answer your questions once every millennium."
Immortal Hidden Star was overjoyed: "Thank you for this teaching, Dao Sovereign!"
He reverently accepted the manual, thrilled. Following the Seven Stars Dao Sovereign was clearly the right choice—any previous reluctance had vanished completely!
Millennial guidance practically amounted to disciple treatment!
As for market supervision—Song Cai handled daily operations, not him. Besides, he had subordinates managing affairs these years—how else could the market run so smoothly?
He had indeed contributed.
Immortal Hidden Star withdrew excitedly.
Su Yuan continued consuming pills while his second primordial spirit refined the mirror.
Days later, having finished the pills, his cultivation progressed from early Golden Immortal 1/100 to 2/100.
A slight improvement.
With pills exhausted, Su Yuan estimated another 1/100 progress would require at least ten thousand years of continuous cultivation.
His current resources couldn't sustain rapid advancement—pre-Golden Immortal treasures had negligible effect now.
"Wealth, methods, land, companions—without wealth, even Golden Immortals struggle!"
Su Yuan realized the limitations of isolating himself in the Seven Stars Realm. Without resources, companions, or land, even the best spirit realm couldn't match a single immortal mountain's benefits for Golden Immortal cultivation.
Of course, for beings like Immortal Hidden Star, the Seven Stars Realm sufficed—typically, Golden Immortals found law comprehension harder than magic power accumulation.
But for Su Yuan, law comprehension always outpaced cultivation.
After some thought, he opened his system panel:
[Name]: Su Yuan
[Region]: Immortal Origin Realm [Level]: lv5: Renowned (120k/1m)
[Region]: Demonic Origin Realm [Level]: lv4: Famous (32k/100k)
[Region]: Nether Origin Realm [Level]: lv4: Famous (17k/100k)
[Realm]: Early Golden Immortal (2/100)
[Trait 2]: Daoist Techniques Naturally lv8 (520k/1m) (Can mutate)
[Trait 3]: Seven Stars Shine Bright lv8 (251k/1m) (Can modify) (Can mutate)
[Trait 4]: Mind Echo lv8 (123k/1m) (Can modify)
[Trait 5]: Great Being’s Demeanor lv7 (20k/100k)
[Trait 6]: Rise to Crisis lv7 (18k/100k): Lifespan: 101.15 million eras
[Trait 7]: World Traveler lv6 (8k/10k)
[Trait 8]: Time Corridor lv6 (3k/10k)
[Trait 9]: Tempering Heart in Mortal Dust lv6 (1.5k/10k)
Noticing traits 2 and 3 had mutation opportunities, Su Yuan decided to experiment.
He focused on trait 2:
[Daoist Techniques Naturally]: You excel at comprehending nature. Easier to perceive great dao from mystical phenomena, daoist classics, and battles.
Three mutation options appeared:
[Mutation 1]: Dao Companion—When comprehending great dao, may perceive dao-accompanying phenomena like dao calamities.
[Mutation 2]: I Am Nature—Manifest your dao to the world. The more and stronger beings comprehend it, the greater your comprehension bonus.
[Mutation 3]: Daoist Grandmaster—Your daoist techniques advance one level before reaching completion.
Mutation 1's "dao companion" seemed vague—the mention of "dao calamities" suggested dao itself faced tribulations.
Mutation 2 was excellent for cultivation.
Mutation 3 suited combat, allowing stronger technique execution mid-battle—especially synergistic with the trait's battle comprehension aspect.
Without deciding yet, Su Yuan checked trait 3's options.
[Seven Stars Shine Bright]: You share a profound connection with the Big Dipper, with many applications.
Mutation required prior modification.
Su Yuan added the word "mystical":
[Seven Stars Shine Bright]: You share a profoundly mystical connection with the Big Dipper, with many applications.
As the modification took effect, his connection with the Big Dipper intensified—so much that he momentarily felt he was the constellation itself.
He then selected the mutation option, presenting three choices:
[Mutation 1]: Seven Stars Reborn—If the Big Dipper is destroyed, it will resurrect within you.
[Mutation 2]: All Worlds See Me—When beings gaze at the Big Dipper, they see you instead, generating faith.
[Mutation 3]: Seven Stars United—The Big Dipper guides all beings' growth, their progress accumulating to empower you.
Su Yuan found mutation 1 almost laughable—wouldn't the Big Dipper's rebirth inside him make him explode? And the premise was absurd—the constellation had shone for eons—what could destroy it?
Mutation 2 suited faith-based cultivation but overlapped with [Mind Echo]—since he didn't follow that path, mutation 3 was ideal.
After [Seven Stars Shine Bright] mutated to option 3, [Daoist Techniques Naturally] should take option 2—a perfect pairing.
One would manifest his dao to all beings for comprehension boosts, while the other gathered all beings' progress to enhance his cultivation!
Having decided, Su Yuan selected both mutations without hesitation.

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