Shrouded Sky

Chapter 324 - Ginseng Fruit

Moss covered the green stone steps, grass reached up to touch the hanging curtains, and clusters of ancient trees shaded the Dao Temple, serene and pure.

Many people came and went from the Absolute Dao Stone Workshop, but there was no noise, quiet and natural, it felt like a return to simplicity.

Among Wu Ziming’s group, someone mocked, “Young man, you’ve probably never been to a Sacred Ground’s stone workshop before, right? Watch carefully and learn. In a moment, follow behind us and pick up the watermelon stones we leave.”

“Hahaha…” The group burst into laughter.

“A bunch of sheep waiting to be slaughtered,” Blackwater replied disdainfully.

“Who are you talking about, black brat?” These people all held prestigious backgrounds. Being looked down on by a dark-faced youth made many of them glare.

“Of course I’m talking about you. Who else would dare gamble stones with us?” Blackwater shouted back. His skin was dark and rough, making his words sting even more.

“You challenging us? How much source do you even have to bet?” They had only been teasing before, never taking the two seriously.

“I’ve got plenty. I just hope you can afford to lose,” Blackwater said with a simple, honest smile.

Someone laughed. “Plenty? How much is that?”

“Fifty fuckin’ kilo!” Blackwater said proudly.

The crowd roared with laughter. Many shook their heads, thinking he was adorably stupid, so simple it was almost charming.

“Fifty kilo of source and you dare come to the Absolute Dao Sacred Ground? You’d better go back where you came from before you embarrass yourself.”

“Black kid, you seem like a good fool, kind of cute. We won’t bully you, just get lost.”

“Let them stay. It’s funny. That black brat is a real gem. Having them around makes things more entertaining, doesn’t it?”

“Entertainment’s fine, but can you afford to lose?” Blackwater pressed, still feigning a dumb grin.

“You really want to be bullied, huh? Fine, we’ll gamble with you.”

Wu Ziming sneered, “These two idiots are amusing. We’ve got time to waste, let’s play with them.”

Ye Fan sent a voice transmission, “You’re pulling everyone in on this? Aren’t you afraid of making too big a scene?”

Blackwater replied, “No problem, as long as your source technique is solid, we’ll be fine. We’re bound to make waves in the Celestial City eventually. Might as well use this to put some of these people in their place early.”

“With what backing?” Ye Fan asked.

Blackwater, who had disguised his face to avoid trouble from his infamous lineage, smirked. “Relax. I’ve got a Black Iron Token. Flashing it will shut them all up. After today, no one like them will dare bother us. We’ll make a killing off them instead.”

They passed through five Stone Workshops. The outer ones held nothing rare, so prices were low. These proud young elites wouldn’t waste time there, none of it caught their eyes.

“The Young Lord of the Godfiend Palace, Yao Yuekong, is up ahead. Want to say hello?” someone asked.

“Forget it. The Imperial Gold Bloodline’s Jin Chixiao is probably nearby too. Those two are enemies, most likely clashing again. I’m not interested in getting dragged into that.”

Ahead, by a bubbling spring, Yao Yuekong stood with his followers, selecting stones.

“Hey black kid, here’s a watermelon stone. You want it?” someone teased, kicking a head-sized rock out of the grass.

“You won’t back out if we gamble, right?” Blackwater said seriously.

“Back out? Don’t make me laugh. You’ve got so little source, what could you even bet with?”

They stopped in a quiet garden surrounded by Blue God-Trees. Their branches were thick, leaves shining like sapphire crystals. Even the trunks glowed faintly, as if carved from blue jade.

Vines climbed the trees, small fragrant flowers blooming everywhere, giving the place a poetic charm.

“I don’t believe you’ll keep your word unless we have witnesses,” Blackwater suddenly shouted, “Stone gambling duel! Peak showdown! Come and watch!”

“Black brat, what the hell are you yelling for?”

“Don’t shout nonsense in the Absolute Dao Stone Workshop!”

“You actually took it seriously? You think you can gamble stones with us?”

The dozen men looked annoyed, they had only meant to tease, not actually gamble. But Blackwater’s stunt had drawn attention.

Cultivators passing by turned their heads to see what was happening.

“Wait, that’s the prince and princess of the Immortal Dynasty of Middle Continent, the Grand Xia royalty!” someone exclaimed, recognizing the imposing prince and the pure-looking young nun in white beside him.

The Grand Xia royal family often came to the Celestial City to buy rare stones, so many knew their faces.

“There’s also Wu Ziming, senior disciple of the Five Elements Palace’s Sectlord, and Li Chongtian, son of the Illusion-Destruction Palace’s master.”

People were surprised, the Grand Xia Prince’s companions were all scions of great sects. Soon, many gathered to watch.

“Stone gambling duel, please, everyone, be witnesses!” Blackwater shouted energetically.

Hearing that the prince and his entourage were there, neighboring gardens’ visitors all crowded over.

“Black brat, you’re begging for humiliation,” Li Chongtian growled.

Soon the area was packed, and even Yao Yuekong, the young lord of the Godfiend Palace, arrived. His purple robes fluttered, and the crowd instinctively parted for him.

“It’s really starting…” Blackwater muttered.

“Who is that black kid, daring to gamble against those people?” the onlookers whispered in surprise.

Wu Ziming sneered, “Fine, go ahead and cut. Whatever you get, we’ll pay you double the value.”

“You said it?” Blackwater asked seriously. “You won’t gamble against us, but if we cut out source, you’ll pay double?”

Wu Ziming smirked. “You’re too stupid to lie to. Hurry up and cut, your fifty kilo of source will be gone in one buy.”

“Hey, black brat, here’s a watermelon stone for you.” One of them kicked over a basin-sized stone.

“Young man, here’s another. Come carry it.” Another teased.

“Here’s a top-quality watermelon stone, your favorite! Hahaha!” They all laughed, kicking over a third stone.

The spectators, understanding what was happening, laughed as well.

“You sure about this? You really think any of these junk stones have source?” Blackwater secretly transmitted, worried they’d become the joke of the day.

Ye Fan replied calmly, “I was going to browse other gardens, but one of the stones they kicked actually contains a large amount of source. I don’t even need to choose. They’re the ones who’ll suffer.”

“Perfect. I can’t wait to see their faces later,” Blackwater snickered.

“Black brat, what are you giggling about? Hurry up and cut your watermelons.”

“Here’s another one. That makes nine in total, a lucky number,” someone mocked.

Looking at the nine “watermelon stones,” Wu Ziming and Li Chongtian laughed openly, full of contempt.

The crowd shook their heads. Watermelon stones? They clearly had no idea about source stones.

After Ye Fan paid for the stones, he stepped forward, not to carve but to smash. He lifted a rock and slammed it on the ground, breaking it apart. Many onlookers stared wide-eyed.

Crack! Crack!

Six stones shattered in a row, pure white inside, nothing else.

“Serves them right. Trying to find source in watermelon stones? What a disgrace to the Absolute Dao Sacred Ground,” Li Chongtian scoffed.

Crack!

The seventh stone split, and a flash of green light burst out, fresh, vibrant, and full of life.

“Green Leaf Stone!” someone exclaimed.

“It really has source, and a variant kind at that! One of these is worth at least ten kilo of pure source!” another said in shock.

It was a leaf-shaped emerald-green stone, just over an inch long, glowing gently like a living leaf.

“Hahaha!” Blackwater laughed. “Variant source! Twenty kilo each, pay up!”

He held out his hand expectantly.

The dozen men looked awkward. They hadn’t expected them to actually hit source. Twenty kilo each wasn’t much, but handing it over stung their pride.

“Even watermelon stones can yield source, huh? Guess a blind rat found a dead cat,” someone muttered.

“Talk is cheap. You’re not planning to go back on your word, are you?” Blackwater demanded.

Wu Ziming pinched his nose and reluctantly handed over two hundred and eighty kilo of source, paying for everyone.

Crack!

Ye Fan smashed the eighth stone. Nothing.

“Try another. Let’s see if you can get lucky twice. No way watermelon stones have good source,” someone mocked.

Crack!

The ninth stone shattered, and suddenly, a surge of purple light erupted, misty and dense, so rich it seemed to materialize into clouds.

“Variant Amethyst Source!” someone cried.

Ye Fan crouched, peeling away the stone skin. The purple radiance only intensified, spilling brilliant light across the area.

“So many watermelon seeds…” the crowd gasped.

Inside were dozens of small amethyst-like crystals, each the size of a fingernail, truly resembling watermelon seeds, forty-nine in total.

“Amethyst is a variant source. One piece is worth thirty kilo of pure source! That little stone must contain at least fifteen hundred kilo’s worth!”

Many around them looked astonished.

“Hahaha!” Blackwater burst out laughing.

Wu Ziming’s face turned dark like a toad’s, and the others looked equally miserable.

“Beautiful! A true top-grade watermelon stone,” someone exclaimed. “Nearly fifty purple crystal seeds, unbelievable!”

When Ye Fan finished clearing the debris, there were exactly forty-nine purple seeds, a perfect, auspicious number. Holding them in his palm, the amethysts glowed brilliantly, purple mist coiling around his hand.

“Alright, nothing more to say, three thousand kilo of source each. Fourteen of you, that’s forty-two thousand kilo total!” Blackwater laughed loudly.

The entire crowd froze. Forty thousand kilo! For many there, that was an astronomical number.

“Heavens, over forty thousand kilo! That black brat and that handsome youth are ridiculously lucky! Nine watermelon stones, and they get over forty thousand kilo, outrageous!”

“When fortune comes, you can’t stop it. Did you see? All nine stones were kicked over by Wu Ziming and Li Chongtian themselves! Those two didn’t even pick their own!”

“That’s right! I saw it too! They literally gave the stones to them. When luck’s with you, nothing can stop it!”

Wu Ziming felt like coughing blood. Li Chongtian wasn’t any better, he wanted to punch someone. This was pure humiliation.

Meanwhile, Blackwater beamed, stepping forward to collect the winnings, watching each of their faces carefully before bursting into uncontrollable laughter.

“Hahahahaha!”