Shrouding the Heavens

Chapter 324 - 325 Chapter 330 Exotic Purple Crystal

325: Chapter 330 Exotic Purple Crystal 325: Chapter 330 Exotic Purple Crystal Green moss traced patterns on the steps, and the hue of grass tinged the azure curtains.

Ancient Wood shadowed the Daoist Temple, creating a serene and simple ambiance.

A large crowd moved in and out of the Dao Yi Stone Workshop, yet there was no clamor.

It was peaceful and natural, evoking a sense of returning to simplicity.

Someone in Wu Ziming’s group teased, “Young man, you’ve never seen a Sacred Land Stone Pavilion before, have you?

Take a good look.

Soon, you’ll be following behind us to pick up watermelon stones.” “HAHA…” a group of people roared with laughter.

“A bunch of sheep waiting to be fleeced,” Li Heishui responded disdainfully.

“Who are you calling sheep, dark-skinned kid?” This group consisted of significant figures, and being looked down upon by the dark-skinned Li Heishui, many shot him a sideways glance.

“Of course, I’m talking about you.

Or does someone else want to gamble on stones with us?” Li Heishui challenged.

His dark complexion made him appear simple and honest, making such a provocation particularly stinging.

“Are you challenging us, dark-skinned kid?

How much Source do you even have to gamble with us?” These people had only been teasing before and hadn’t taken the two seriously at all.

“Of course, I have plenty of Source.

I’m just worried you can’t afford to lose,” Li Heishui said, maintaining a simple and honest demeanor.

Someone nearby scoffed, “And how much Source is ‘plenty’?” “A full fifty pounds!” Li Heishui declared, holding his head high.

The group burst into laughter.

Many shook their heads, thinking he was adorably naive, almost too simple.

“You dare enter the Dao Yi Sacred Land with a mere fifty pounds of Source?

I’d advise you to go back where you came from and save yourself the embarrassment.” “Dark-skinned kid, you seem quite simple, adorably naive even.

We won’t bully you.

Just hurry up and leave.” “Why try to make them leave?

This is too amusing!

This dark-skinned kid is a real gem.

Let them follow; don’t you think it adds a bit of fun?” “Exactly.

This dark-skinned kid is quite entertaining.

Having him around to liven things up is pretty good.” “Entertain you?

Can you even afford to lose?” Li Heishui continued his challenge with feigned simplicity.

“Dark-skinned kid, are you deliberately looking to get pushed around?

Fine, we’ll all gamble with you!” Wu Ziming added with a sneer, “These two foolish lads are quite interesting.

Since we have nothing better to do, we’ll humor them for a bit.” Ye Fan sent a voice transmission to Li Heishui, “You’re dragging everyone into this.

Aren’t you afraid of escalating things too far?” Ye Fan had initially just wanted to fleece a few fat sheep, but Li Heishui, with his simple act and earnest provocations, intended to ensnare everyone.

Li Heishui replied via transmission, “It’s fine.

As long as your Source Technique is solid, there’s no problem.

We’re destined to make big wagers in the divine city.

We’ll attract attention sooner or later, so we might as well put some people in their place early on.” “And what will you use to do that?” Ye Fan asked.

Li Heishui was not using his true appearance; otherwise, as the descendant of a great bandit, he might attract unnecessary trouble.

He sounded confident.

“Don’t worry.

I have a Black Iron Order.

Showing it will be enough to intimidate them.

People like that won’t dare to cause trouble for us in the future.

Today, we’ll seize this chance to fleece them properly.” They passed through five Stone Gardens in succession.

The outer areas held no precious stones, and the prices were naturally low.

Wu Ziming’s group wouldn’t deign to stop, clearly looking down on such wares.

The pebble-paved path was tranquil.

After passing through a large Ancient Forest, they arrived at an area lush with vegetation.

The garden scenery was beautiful and verdant.

“Young Master Yao Yuekong of the Heavenly Demon Palace is up ahead.

Should we go say hello?” “Better not.

I believe Jin Chixiao of the Golden Family isn’t far off either.

Those two are like fire and water; they’re probably already clashing here.

Going over now would just be looking for trouble.” Ahead, beside a gently gurgling spring pool, Yao Yuekong was selecting stones, accompanied by a few attendants.

“Hey, dark-skinned kid, here’s a watermelon stone.

Want it?” someone teased, kicking a stone the size of a human head out from the grass.

“If we gamble on stones, you won’t go back on your word, will you?” Li Heishui asked earnestly.

“What a joke!

Would we renege on a bet?

That paltry amount of Source you have—what good is it anyway?” They stopped in a quiet part of the garden.

It was filled with Divine Blue Trees, their branches dense and their leaves a sky-blue, almost dreamlike color.

Even the trunks sparkled like blue crystals.

The area was also covered with vines.

The flowers were small but exuded a delicate fragrance, lending the place a poetic charm.

“I still don’t quite trust you.

No, I need to call some witnesses!” Li Heishui suddenly bellowed, “A stone-gambling showdown!

A battle of titans!

Come and watch, everyone!” “Dark-skinned kid, what are you caterwauling about?” “Don’t shout like that in the Dao Yi Stone Workshop!” “You foolish kid, you actually took it seriously?

You think you’re qualified to gamble on stones with us?” The dozen or so people had varied expressions.

They hadn’t taken him seriously, having only intended to mock the pair, and hadn’t expected Li Heishui to pull such a stunt.

In the Dao Yi Stone Workshop, where cultivators constantly came and went, many now looked over, wondering what was happening.

“The Prince and Princess of the Great Xia, from the Central States Immortal Dynasty!” someone exclaimed, recognizing the heroic Great Xia Prince and the innocent-looking young nun in white among the crowd.

Members of the Great Xia Royal Family often purchased rare and precious stone materials in the divine city, so people were quite familiar with them.

“And there’s Wu Ziming, the chief disciple of the Five Elements Palace’s Head Elder, and Li Chongtian, the son of the Illusion Destruction Palace’s Head Elder!” Many were surprised.

The people accompanying the Great Xia Prince were all prominent figures, disciples from various Great Sects.

A number of onlookers began to head their way.

“A stone-gambling showdown!

Everyone, please bear witness!” Li Heishui shouted with all his might.

People from several adjacent Stone Gardens, hearing that the Great Xia Prince and his entourage were present, all gathered around.

“Dark-skinned kid, you’re really asking for a beating!

It feels wrong not to rough you up a bit,” Li Chongtian and the others said, somewhat annoyed.

The crowd pressed closer.

Before long, even Young Master Yao Yuekong of the Heavenly Demon Palace approached, his purple robes fluttering.

The people around him instinctively parted to make way.

“It’s really about to start…” Li Heishui mumbled.

“Who is this dark-skinned kid?

How dare he gamble on stones with this group?” the surrounding people wondered aloud in surprise.

Wu Ziming jeered, “Go ahead and cut your stones.

Whatever amount of Source you cut out, each of us will give you double that!” “You said that?” Li Heishui asked seriously.

“So, we’re not actually gambling against each other?

As long as we cut out Source, you’ll gift us double the amount?” Wu Ziming scoffed, “You’re unbelievably foolish.

Hurry up and cut your stones.

Your fifty pounds of Source will be gone after buying just one piece of stone material.” “HAHA!

Hey, dark-skinned kid, here’s a watermelon stone for you,” one of them mocked, kicking over a stone the size of a washbasin.

“Young man, there’s more over here!

Come and get them!” another person chimed in mockingly.

“Here’s a ‘top-quality’ watermelon stone too—your favorite!

HAHAHA…” The others also roared with laughter, kicking a third watermelon stone towards them.

The onlookers, understanding what was happening, also started to laugh.

“Are you sure?

Is there really Source in these worthless stones?” Li Heishui secretly transmitted to Ye Fan, afraid of becoming a laughingstock.

Ye Fan secretly replied, “I was planning to look around other Stone Gardens.

However, among the stones they kicked over, one of them actually contains a large amount of Source.

No need for me to choose one myself now.

It’s their own damn fault.” “That’s fantastic!

I can’t wait to see the looks on their faces later,” Li Heishui chuckled gleefully.

“What are you grinning foolishly about, dark-skinned kid?

Hurry up and cut your ‘watermelons’!” “Here, take another watermelon stone.

That makes exactly nine for you—a most auspicious number!” Looking at the nine “watermelon stones” on the ground, Wu Ziming, Li Chongtian, and the others were filled with disdain, yet they couldn’t help but laugh.

The people nearby shook their heads.

Choosing watermelon stones?

They truly don’t understand anything about Source.

After Ye Fan purchased these stone materials, he stepped forward.

Instead of cutting them, he simply picked up a stone and smashed it on the ground.

Many onlookers were flabbergasted.

CRACK!

CRACK!

Six “watermelon stones” shattered in succession.

They were all duds, revealing nothing but plain rock inside.

“Serves them right for asking for trouble.

Trying to find Source in watermelon stones?

People like them are a disgrace to the Dao Yi Sacred Land,” Li Chongtian sneered.

CRACK!

As the seventh stone shattered on the ground, a streak of green light shot out.

It was vibrant and lush, filling one’s vision with a sparkling glow that pulsed with the breath of life.

“A Green Leaf Stone!” Someone exclaimed in surprise, “They actually cut out Source!

And it’s an Exotic Source!

A piece like this is worth at least ten pounds of Pure Source!” The leaf-like green stone was just over an inch long, verdant and lustrous, glowing with a warm light, closely resembling a green leaf.

“HAHA…” Li Heishui roared with laughter.

“An Exotic Source!

That’s twenty pounds each!

Pay up!” He thrust out a large hand towards the group.

The dozen or so people felt thoroughly disgusted.

They hadn’t expected Ye Fan and Li Heishui to actually find Source.

Twenty pounds of Source was nothing to them, but having to fork it over like this was incredibly galling.

“To think they actually cut an Exotic Source from a ‘watermelon stone’.

It’s truly a case of a blind cat stumbling upon a dead mouse,” someone muttered.

“Enough talk.

You’re not thinking of going back on your word, are you?” Li Heishui said, holding out his hand.

Wu Ziming, looking thoroughly disgruntled, handed over 280 pounds of Source, covering the payment for the entire group of over a dozen people.

CRACK!

Ye Fan smashed the eighth stone.

It was also empty.

“Go on, smash out another piece of Source for me to see!

I refuse to believe that trashy ‘watermelon stones’ can actually produce valuable Source,” one of them sneered.

CRACK!

Ye Fan smashed the ninth stone to the ground.

It shattered into pieces, and in an instant, a brilliant purple light erupted!

A haze of purple mist spread out, and the Spiritual Qi was so dense it seemed tangible.

“Exotic Purple Crystal Source!” someone cried out in astonishment.

Ye Fan squatted down and began to peel away layers of stone skin.

The purple radiance intensified, casting a dazzling, brilliant light across the ground in all directions.

“So many ‘watermelon seeds’!” the crowd exclaimed in shock.

Each piece of Purple Crystal Source was only about the size of a fingernail, truly resembling watermelon seeds.

They were embedded in the stone material, and there were more than forty of them.

“Purple Crystal is a type of Exotic Source!

A single one of these is worth thirty pounds of Pure Source.

To find so many inside a stone just the size of a human head…

all told, this is equivalent to 1,500 pounds of Pure Source!” Nearby, many people wore expressions of disbelief, finding the situation utterly incredible.

“HAHAHA…” Li Heishui roared with laughter.

Wu Ziming’s face was a mask of utter dejection; he felt as if he had swallowed a dead toad.

The other dozen or so people also looked thoroughly sickened.

“How beautiful!

This truly is a ‘top-quality watermelon stone’ in every sense of the word!” a bystander marveled.

“To produce nearly fifty Purple Crystal Melon Seeds…

it’s astonishing!” Ye Fan finished peeling them off.

There were exactly forty-nine Purple Crystal Melon Seeds—a rather auspicious number.

He held the large handful in his palm; they shone with a dazzling purple light, making his hand appear crystalline as it was enveloped in a purple mist.

“Well, everyone,” Li Heishui began, laughing heartily, “there’s nothing more to say.

Three thousand pounds of Source per person.

For the fourteen of you, that’s a grand total of 42,000 pounds!” At this moment, everyone was stunned.

Over 40,000 pounds of Source!

This was an incredibly colossal sum, enough to make many of those present feel faint.

“Heavens!

Over 40,000 pounds!

This dark-skinned kid and that refined-looking young man…

their luck is simply heaven-defying!

Smashing nine ‘watermelon stones’ and getting over 40,000 pounds of Source!

It’s beyond all reason!” “When luck is on your side, there’s no stopping it!

Did you all see?

Those nine ‘watermelon stones’ were kicked over by Wu Ziming and Li Chongtian’s group themselves!

These two didn’t even choose the stones!” “That’s right, I saw it too!

Wu Ziming and Li Chongtian’s group kicked them over themselves!

Even the heavens are helping them!” Hearing these comments, Wu Ziming felt an urge to vomit blood.

Li Chongtian wasn’t much better; he wanted to hit someone.

This is too damn much!

We’ve been played for absolute fools!

In stark contrast, Li Heishui was all smiles.

He sauntered closer, meticulously observing the expressions on the faces of the dozen or so people, and then burst into hearty laughter.

“HAHAHA…”