This was Yang Lingrui’s first visit to such a place. Intrigued by the novel sights, he wandered inside.
"Would Master care to play? Ten spiritual crystals per round."
"Give it a try, Master!"
Attractive attendants sward him the mont he stepped through the doorway.
Though initially tempted, Yang Lingrui snapped out of it upon hearing the price. Ten spiritual crystals equaled what his Elder earned through monthly life-risking missions at the eastern border.
While he currently carried ample spiritual crystals thanks to Su Lingyun’s accidental generosity – born from her mistaken belief that an Immortal Master’s work belonged to rival factions – future family matters would demand these resources. Wasting them on frivolous gas was unthinkable.
Yang Lingrui shook his head firmly.
"Just looking."
The attendants scattered instantly, seeking other targets.
As Yang Lingrui browsed the establishnts, he observed red-faced victors cheering, defeated cultivators stamping their feet, and occasional sore losers getting dragged away by Immortal Patrol Office enforcers. The scene cented his belief in gambling’s destructive nature – he’d later warn his juniors against this vice.
He was about to leave when a commotion erupted at the ore-gambling stall. "Treasure! We’ve struck treasure!"
The rules were straightforward: buy raw ore stones, split them open, and hope for valuable spiritual materials inside. A red-nosed Taoist had spent fifty spiritual crystals on a lumpy stone, revealing a coal-black rock.
"Let inspect it! This must be tungsten iron essence!"
At those words, the crowd buzzed with excitent. This material for crafting Perfected Gathering Qi spiritual treasures could fetch hundreds or thousands of spiritual crystals.
The Taoist rubbed his hands eagerly while awaiting verification. Weapon refiners examined the stone, then unanimously shook their heads. The black rock wasn’t tungsten iron essence – just a worthless Mysterious Stone.
The Taoist collapsed to the floor as spectators dispersed. Mysterious Stones offered terrible odds – rare to find, harder to utilize. Their spiritual essence vanished during weapon refining, rendering them useless. Studying their properties demanded excessive ti for uncertain rewards.
"How? How could this happen?!"
The Taoist scratched his head anxiously while staring at the black stone on the ground, never expecting his last-ditch effort would end in total loss.
Just then, a voice spoke:
"Friend, would you sell that item?"
"Hmm?"
The red-nosed Taoist whirled around excitedly to see a handso youth beside him.
"Sell! Of course! Fif… no! A hundred spiritual crystals!"
His shouted price drew mocking jeers from surrounding cultivators. Who would pay such exorbitant price for worthless trash? The shalessness!
Unbothered by the ridicule, the thick-skinned man kept staring at Yang Lingrui’s face. Though priding himself on reading people, he found no clues in the youth’s calm expression.
Yang Lingrui spoke leisurely: "Truth be told, my Elder collects peculiar stones. This one caught my eye as special. Since it’s useless to you, I’ll offer fifty spiritual crystals to help recover your losses."
The red-nosed Taoist’s greed warred with reason. Everyone knew this stone wasn’t worth fifty, yet he hesitated wanting more.
Yang Lingrui waited re monts before turning to leave.
"Wait! Friend! Fifty! Done!"
Yang Lingrui shook his head. "That was the old price. Now it’s thirty."
"You brat! Mocking ?"
"You refused the offer. Thirty now. Ten if I exit."
Panicking, the Taoist blocked his path. "Fine! Thirty!"
After the exchange, Yang Lingrui left with the Mysterious Stone while the red-nosed Taoist, clutching his crystals, dove back into stone piles.
"What delightful surprise! The Immortal Master might regain powers with this!" Yang Lingrui rejoiced. While useless to others, such stone treasures helped sustain their Yang Family’s Immortal Master. Old Yu had ordered them to acquire such items whenever possible. Getting one for thirty crystals was steal!
Leaving the Gaming Pavilion, he reached Moon Red Tower – matchmaking den for talented young cultivators, run by respected elders. Pausing briefly outside, his striking looks imdiately drew attention. Two old won at the door eyed him like rare treasure, nearly pouncing.
Yang Lingrui ducked into the crowd, escaping.
"Close call! Nearly trapped there."
Passing jade steps after Moon Red Tower, he saw high platforms bearing "Debate Platform". Here, lowly Gathering Qi cultivators from lower three realms proved their Dao through combat rather than talk.
Having seen Condensing Essence demonstrations earlier, these petty duels bored him. With dusk approaching, Yang Lingrui left the ceremonial gathering early.
Back in his quarters, he ditated on his achievents: "Sold all talismans, secured five-year contract, obtained family’s spiritual treasures, plus the Mysterious Stone. Maybe…"
His main goals accomplished, staying offered little. His unpleasant Su Family encounter made him yearn for ho.
"Sister Qing always said chasing perfection invites disaster. Better quit while ahead."
The thought cented his resolve.
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