I Was Forced to Marry a “Trash” Cultivator, But She Turned Out to Be a Reborn Empress!

Chapter 288: Gaining Talents, First-Rate Power

Shen Xian’s words cut through the noise, instantly drawing every gaze in the venue toward Lu Tingwei.

The once-lofty Grandmaster Artificer, who had stood atop the world of refining just moments ago, now looked like a rooster plucked of its feathers. He swayed on his feet, his face drained of blood.

Everyone understood the gravity of the situation. From this day forward, this renowned Tier-5 Artificer would be nothing more than a servant, laboring for his opponent for a full millennium.

“I… I…” Lu Tingwei opened his mouth, his throat working convulsively, but the words of surrender refused to come out.

It wasn’t that he intended to renege on the bet; the shame was simply too heavy to verbalize.

In this suffocating silence, Master Zhou of the Hundred Arts Sect let out a long, heavy sigh. He rose to his feet and cupped his hands respectfully toward the stage. “Master Wang’s skills are truly transcendent. This old man is thoroughly convinced. In this round… Brother Lu has indeed lost.”

As an Elder of the Hundred Arts Sect, his declaration was the final gavel. The outcome was sealed.

The sidelines instantly erupted. A tsunami of cheers washed over the arena, with those cultivators who had gambled their fortunes on Shen Xian weeping tears of joy.

“Hahaha! We’re rich!”

“I told you! I told you Master Wang would win!”

“Who dares say a mid-tier artifact is inferior to a high-tier one now? Who?!”

…

Amidst the chaos, Venerable Zi Yun strolled up to Shen Xian, his eyes crinkling with a beaming smile. “Kid, beautifully done! However…”

He leaned in, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper that only they could hear. “Your technique… even this old man was deceived. Be honest with me—are you hiding even more tricks up your sleeve?”

He was referring, of course, to Shen Xian’s terrifying mastery of Formations.

Shen Xian merely smiled, offering no answer. His gaze swept across the venue, cool and detached.

Those who had mocked him earlier now averted their eyes, terrified to meet his gaze. They lowered their heads in submission.

This battle had won him more than just a wager; it had won him their absolute fear and awe.

As the competition formally concluded, several hidden Tier-5 Artificers within the crowd exchanged meaningful glances before quietly slipping away. This refining gala had attracted many heavyweights and hidden dragons. Having witnessed this earth-shattering event, they needed to retreat and re-evaluate their strategies for the upcoming finals.

On the stage, Lu Tingwei stood frozen, his hands trembling uncontrollably.

According to the blood oath, he must serve the Duobao Sect for one thousand years.

“Master Lu,” Shen Xian spoke, his voice calm and devoid of mockery, yet carrying an undeniable weight. “A bet is a bet. From today onward, you are the Chief Elder of my Duobao Sect’s Artificing Hall.”

*Chief Elder.* A prestigious title, but everyone knew the reality: he was a high-level laborer.

Lu Tingwei’s lips quivered. He wanted to argue, to negotiate, but he found no ground to stand on.

A wager made under the eyes of the entire Holy City… if he dared to back out now, his reputation would be obliterated. He would have no place left in the cultivation world.

Most importantly…

He cast a fearful glance toward the Black Dragon Guards stationed nearby, specifically the team of Deity Transformation experts representing Black Profound City.

If he tried to renege, the Black Profound Celestial Venerable would likely slap him into a fine mist before he could take a single step.

“A bet… is a bet.” Lu Tingwei seemed to age a hundred years in a single second. He took a deep breath, bowing his head. “From now on, I, Lu, belong to your Duobao Sect.”

With Lu Tingwei’s submission, the Hundred Forging Pavilion—an old, established power that had operated for a thousand years—was effectively swallowed whole by the Duobao Sect.

The implications were staggering. Shen Xian would inherit centuries of accumulated refining legacies and secret techniques. He would acquire over a dozen prime real estate properties within the Holy City. He would absorb dozens of trained artificers and take over the Hundred Forging Pavilion’s vast network of clients and supply channels.

To the side, Su Mu was already mentally tallying the assets, her eyes shimmering with the shrewd light of a merchant. “Master, a preliminary estimate suggests the Hundred Forging Pavilion’s annual net profit is at least three hundred ordinary Spirit Crystals!”

She had done her homework on their competitors long ago.

Shen Xian nodded slightly. In his palm, the Formation Disk that had caused such a sensation lay quietly, emitting a soft, rhythmic spiritual glow.

This item was not just for the wager; it was a perfect research specimen. The Heavenly Secrets Pavilion’s attainment in Formations might open new avenues of thought for his own cultivation.

Venerable Zi Yun stared at the Formation Disk with naked longing, looking like he wanted to speak but fearing rejection.

Shen Xian caught the look and smiled knowingly. “Celestial Venerable, rest assured. Regarding our one-year agreement, I, Shen, never break my word.”

“Hahaha!” Venerable Zi Yun threw his head back and laughed, the sound booming like thunder. “And this old man keeps his! From this day forth, I shall protect the Way for your Duobao Sect for one thousand years!”

The crowd gasped. A Void Refinement Celestial Venerable acting as a guardian for a millennium? The value of such a promise was incalculable!

With this, the Duobao Sect had instantaneously ascended to the ranks of a first-rate power within the Sacred City.

Any faction wishing to move against the Duobao Sect would now have to weigh the consequences of offending a Void Refinement expert. Furthermore, Venerable Zi Yun’s vast network of connections and resources would now be at Shen Xian’s disposal.

Shen Xian was pleased. He cupped his hands formally. “I look forward to the Celestial Venerable’s guidance.”

In the span of a single duel, his status in the Sacred City had undergone a heaven-toppling transformation.

His identity as the Deputy City Lord of Black Profound City was now publicly solidified. His prowess as a Tier-5 Artificer was beyond question. Defeating a veteran Grandmaster like Lu Tingwei proved his skills had reached the pinnacle of perfection.

The name of the Duobao Sect would soon resound throughout the entire Dao Xuan Sacred Land.

“Master Wang!”

Zhao Wuchen of the Heaven-Reaching Chamber of Commerce rushed forward, pushing through the crowd with a face full of ingratiating smiles. “Master Wang! Our Chamber is willing to adjust our cooperation contract immediately. The profit split will be seventy-thirty! You take seventy, we take thirty!”

Previously, the Heaven-Reaching Chamber of Commerce had provided materials in exchange for a fifty-fifty split of the finished Dharma Treasures. Now, this executive was practically begging to give away profits, trying to make amends for the Chamber’s lack of support during the conflict.

Shen Xian naturally didn’t refuse. Business was business.

Besides, with the absorption of the Hundred Forging Pavilion, he wouldn’t be the only one refining artifacts anymore. He needed distribution channels for his new workforce.

“Master Wang!” A clan patriarch squeezed past a guard. “My clan is willing to offer our ancestral Tier-5 Artificing Blueprint! We only ask for a moment of Master’s guidance!”

“Master Wang, please look over here…”

On the sidelines, the very cultivators who had previously looked down on Shen Xian now wore masks of sycophancy, fighting tooth and nail just to curry favor with the newly ascended Grandmaster.

Shen Xian offered a faint, detached smile, then turned to Su Mu. “I leave the rest to you.”

Su Mu understood immediately. She stepped forward, her demeanor shifting to that of an iron-willed administrator.

First, the hostile takeover of the Hundred Forging Pavilion and the recruitment of new disciples. These were the priorities.

Second, negotiations with the various powers and the physical expansion of the Duobao Sect.

Fortunately, she had prepared contingency plans for a victory scenario. Even amidst the chaos, she remained unflustered.

Tie Shan and Ai Xiao took charge of security, their imposing figures forming a wall to keep the overly enthusiastic crowd at bay.

Suddenly, Zi Chen ran up to Shen Xian, his face flushed with excitement. “Master Wang! That technique just now—where the artifact patterns formed a microscopic array—could you…”

Shen Xian patted the young man’s shoulder. “Come to the workshop tomorrow. I will teach you personally.”

Zi Chen froze, overjoyed.

He took a deep breath, dropping to his knees without a shred of hesitation. “I beg Master Wang to accept me as a disciple!”

Shen Xian raised an eyebrow and glanced at Venerable Zi Yun standing nearby.

The Celestial Venerable beamed, nodding encouragingly. “Chen’er’s talent is not low. I hope Master Wang won’t find him lacking!”

Shen Xian understood the political implication. He nodded. “Very well. From this moment on, you are my, Wang Yu’s, fifth disciple.”

“Thank you, Master!” Zi Chen grinned, trembling with excitement.

Just then, Yan Hao stepped forward, bowing respectfully. “Deputy City Lord. The City Lord has entrusted me with one final matter.”

“Oh?” Shen Xian looked over.

Yan Hao produced a black jade slip, the surface swirling with a heavy aura. “The City Lord instructed that if you won the competition, I was to present this to you. This is… the authority over half of Black Profound City’s management.”

The crowd, which had just begun to settle, erupted into a fresh wave of shock.

The Black Profound Celestial Venerable was handing over *half the city* to Shen Xian?

There was a massive difference between having a title and having management authority.

The former was a vanity position, offering status but little else. The latter was raw, tangible power.

This meant Shen Xian would now control half of Black Profound City’s tax revenue, hold decision-making power over municipal affairs, and possess the authority to mobilize a portion of the dreaded Black Dragon Guards.

In this moment, he had truly become the Deputy City Lord in both name and reality.

Shen Xian took the jade slip. He swept it with his Divine Sense, confirming the contents, and the corners of his mouth curled upward.

“Convey my thanks to the City Lord.”

This battle… he had won everything.

From this day forward, the Duobao Sect would no longer be a fledgling workshop fighting for scraps. It was now a titan, a faction capable of calling the wind and summoning the rain within the Holy City.

And all of this… was just the beginning.