Chapter 198: Ancient Rarity

The ninth courtyard gave Ye Fan a peculiar feeling; the stones within it made him uneasy. "Is this the aura of the Primordial Mine?" The thought occurred to him.

The Origin Heaven Book was an extraordinary text, containing methods of human-celestial induction. Ye Fan had only just begun to dabble in this supreme Origin Technique, gaining a rudimentary understanding. He felt that the aura he sensed—concentrated yet diffuse, subtle yet distinct—must have originated from that demonic land. In this Northern Region, the most terrifying place was that ancient divine mine, whose origins no one knew.

"This is the one!" Liu Cheng'en had already chosen, patting a piece of origin stone. The stone was about the size of a human head, weighed over ten pounds, and resembled a reclining ox, giving it a heavy, settled appearance.

"This stone will definitely yield origin; the only question is how much," the Origin Master nodded.

"Have you chosen?" Liu Cheng'en glanced at Ye Fan.

"Wait a bit longer," Ye Fan replied. He was unsure; the aura of the demonic land made it very difficult for him to distinguish the origin stones, always feeling vague and elusive.

"What exactly is in that strange place that even the stones are infected?" Ye Fan eliminated twenty fraudulent origin stones, choosing from the remaining thirty-eight.

"There are too few stones in this courtyard," Er Lengzi complained under his breath.

"These stones are excavated from the edge of the Primordial Mine. It's good that we even have a few dozen pieces; most are sent to the Holy City. How many people in Pingyan City would dare to gamble on these?"

"The Holy City is different. The mighty figures of the Eastern Wasteland, the imperial families of Zhongzhou, and the giants of the Northern Region frequent that place. Even the 'ancient stones' from the Primordial Mine are gambled on there."

"The main reason is that these stones are too expensive; no one can afford them," someone sighed.

The Origin Master of Rongxiang Stone Gambling House shook his head. "These are already considered cheap. The origin stones transported to the Holy City are all astronomically priced; most stones are more expensive than pure origin itself."

"No way, who would be such a fool?"

"You wouldn't know. At that level, what they're gambling on isn't pure origin, but something even more valuable contained within the origin stones."

Someone nearby nodded in agreement, saying, "Origin stones hold too many secrets. Origin itself isn't the most precious; within these seemingly unremarkable stones, there might be peerless treasures."

Ye Fan finally chose a stone. It was a greenish block with faint yellow patterns, not very large, weighing around ten pounds. Everyone was speechless, thinking his choice of stone was utterly unreliable.

"Brother, you really like to take the unconventional path. You actually dared to choose a stone like this. This is the famous 'Watermelon Stone'."

"That's right, this is a 'Watermelon Stone.' At most, it'll produce a few origin granules like watermelon seeds; it's impossible to get a large piece of origin. Your stone weighs over ten pounds, meaning you'd spend more than a pound of pure origin, which is a net loss."

The stone had clear patterns, truly resembling watermelon stripes, thus living up to its name.

"Even if you get dozens of 'seeds,' they won't weigh more than an ounce or two. You're guaranteed to lose money."

Among the onlookers, a few elders kindly offered advice, but most were mocking.

"I could pick a better stone with my eyes closed than this 'Watermelon Stone.' Little mud monkey, hurry back to the mine; this place really isn't for you."

"You don't even know such basic things, yet you have the nerve to gamble on stones. A blind cat can't always catch a dead mouse."

Liu Cheng'en fanned himself, a mocking smile on his face, and circled the Watermelon Stone, laughing loudly, "What a fine stone!" Those around him also sneered, patting the Watermelon Stone and constantly ridiculing.

"A great stone, ordinary people truly couldn't pick something like this.""Yeah, well, we normal people wouldn't dare choose it.""If a treasure is cut from it later, I'll really swallow the stone skin this time, just to broaden my horizons."

"You said that?!" Er Lengzi took it seriously, identifying the person. "I clearly heard you say it this time. If good origin is extracted, will you really swallow the stone skin?"

"Yes, I said it," a young man beside Liu Cheng'en mocked. "A Watermelon Stone expecting to yield something good? Dream on!"

"Everyone saw that, right? You'll be witnesses. When the time comes, he'll have to swallow the stone skin," Wang Shu stepped forward and said to the surrounding crowd.

"Cut the stone!"

After bowing to the Origin God, the Origin Master stepped forward with his tool. His knife moved with the swiftness of a dragon and snake, cutting Liu Cheng'en's stone. Old skin continuously fell to the ground, and soon, a brilliant light shone forth.

"What a pure piece of origin."

Just a few pounds of stone skin had been peeled off, and light was already emanating. The exposed origin was completely free of impurities, crystal clear and very clean. Soon, everyone gasped again. This piece of origin was gradually unearthed, weighing a full four pounds. For stone gamblers at this level, it was already very valuable.

"As expected from a stone mined from the edge of the Primordial Mine!" Only one or two pounds of origin were expected, yet this stone yielded so much.

"Now, cut the Watermelon Stone. I'll count how many 'seeds' there are in total and see if they even weigh an ounce or two," Liu Cheng'en's companions scoffed.

*Crack!*

The Origin Master didn't delay, immediately cutting the Watermelon Stone. Old skin flaked off and fell to the ground, and soon, more than half of the stone's layers were peeled away.

"It's truly top-grade; not even a single 'seed'! Haha... It seems there's nothing at all," the person who had earlier promised to swallow the stone skin gloated.

When it was cut down to the size of a pigeon's egg, everyone understood: this was a blank stone, containing nothing. Even Ye Fan sighed, feeling that the stones transported from the edge of the Primordial Mine were too unpredictable and difficult to gauge.

The Origin Master threw the thumb-sized stone fragment onto the ground, not completely shattering it.

"Watermelon Stones usually yield at least some origin granules like 'seeds.' The stone you chose is truly unique; not a single grain of origin came out. It seems I can't even swallow the stone skin. Alas, I really wanted to taste it," the man continued.

"Your great-grandpa's!" Feeling stifled, Er Lengzi kicked the small stone fragment on the ground.

*Bang!*

The thumb-sized stone fragment hit a large stone, shattering instantly. In that very moment, a dazzling light burst forth, and a dense spiritual energy surged out, too potent to dissipate.

"This... a treasure has appeared!" someone exclaimed.

Several figures rushed forward, but Ye Fan was faster, reaching it first and placing the dazzling light orb into his palm.

"What kind of origin is this?"

In Ye Fan's palm was a grain-sized piece of origin, tiny but glistening brilliantly, appearing incredibly mystical.

"Ancient Worm Origin!""It really is Ancient Worm Origin! This is a spiritual worm from primeval times, sealed within origin.""Yes, it's indeed a primeval spiritual worm, though it's still too young.""Don't disdain its size. This tiny, rice-grain-sized worm is worth dozens of pounds of origin!"

The Origin Master was filled with regret, wishing he could slap himself. They had tampered with some stones, secretly cutting into some origin, but never imagined they'd missed the most valuable one. In Ye Fan's palm was a rice-grain-sized worm, crystal clear, formed from origin.

"Yes, it's that ancient worm. In primeval times, it fed specifically on origin, its body accumulating origin essence. It's a very special spiritual worm."

A thumb-sized piece of fiery red origin was worth ten pounds of pure origin, yet a rice-grain-sized Ancient Worm Origin was worth dozens of pounds of pure origin. One could imagine how precious this primeval spiritual worm was.

"Ancient Worm Origin can be used in medicine. Various Holy Lands possess ancient secret formulas that require it for alchemy. If sold in the Holy City, it could be worth a hundred pounds of pure origin."

This was truly astonishing. A tiny, rice-grain-sized worm having such immense value made even Ye Fan feel somewhat incredulous.

"This isn't an ordinary worm; it's been extinct for countless ages. In primeval times, it consumed origin and expelled origin essence, making it incredibly rare and precious."

The people from Rongxiang Stone Gambling House were sick with regret. If they had known, they would have chosen this origin stone no matter what when they were tampering with them. Gambling and extracting such a rare Ancient Worm Origin would surely spread throughout Pingyan City. Its value, dozens or even a hundred pounds of pure origin, was a considerable sum in this region.

At this moment, Liu Cheng'en's face turned completely green. Ancient Worm Origin was extremely rare and worth a hundred pounds of origin, a sum he simply couldn't produce.

"To be able to cut out such an exotic origin... it's just unbelievable," Liu Cheng'en's companions exclaimed in disbelief.

Er Lengzi smugly stepped forward, took Liu Cheng'en's origin pouch, and even collected the piece of origin that had been cut out.

"You now owe us over ninety pounds of origin. What are you going to do about it?" Er Lengzi puffed out his chest, speaking with great confidence.

"This..." Liu Cheng'en felt like jumping into a river, his face burning with embarrassment. If they were in the wilderness, he wouldn't have hesitated to silence them.

"Young Master Liu is a prodigy of the Azure Cloud Sect; he naturally wouldn't renege on a debt. Rest assured, he will repay you later," one of Liu Cheng'en's companions reprimanded.

"Who are you reprimanding? Remember, *he* owes *us*," Wang Shu stepped forward, staring at the man. "Didn't you say just now that if a treasure was cut out, you'd swallow the stone skin?"

"Exactly, it was you! I remember clearly. Hurry up and swallow that stone skin!" Er Lengzi moved closer, relentless, grabbing the man's collar and insisting he swallow the stone skin.

Laughter erupted from the surrounding crowd. If not for the deep background of stone gambling houses, which prohibited fighting, this person would have long since turned hostile. At that moment, he was extremely embarrassed.

"You... let go!""Acknowledge your loss. You yourself said you'd eat the stone skin. If you're a man, don't go back on your word. Hurry up and eat it!"

The man, having completely lost face and wishing he could disappear into the ground, gritted his teeth and pulled out half a pound of origin, stuffing it into Er Lengzi's hand. He then scurried away, prompting another burst of laughter from the crowd.

Liu Cheng'en, also burning with shame and anger, bit the bullet and borrowed paper and a pen from the Rongxiang Stone Gambling House staff, wrote an IOU, and then turned and left without looking back.

Ye Fan walked around the Rongxiang Stone Gambling House, found too many instances of fraud, and didn't linger. The three of them then turned and left. It was almost noon, and the others had also dispersed, preparing to find a place for lunch before heading to the Jade Pond Immortal Stone House in the afternoon.

"Today was truly satisfying..." Er Lengzi chattered.

Wang Shu, being young at heart, was also very excited, saying, "Ancient Worm Origin, worth a hundred pounds of origin, it's truly fantastical!"

Ye Fan, having tested his skills, felt that the Origin Heaven Book was indeed a mystical text beyond mortal comprehension, truly an extraordinary scripture. He felt that he could advance to the Dao Palace Secret Realm upon returning. The Northern Region, rich in origin, was a divine land for him, where he could continuously transform. The three of them chose a restaurant and drank freely in a private room, not leaving until an hour later.

The Jade Pond Immortal Stone House was located in the eastern district of Pingyan City, in an elegant setting surrounded by many ancient trees that cast large areas of shade. It was already afternoon. The main gate was wide open, and there were many fallen leaves on the steps, giving it a very natural feel.

Soon after entering the Jade Pond Immortal Stone House, Ye Fan noticed several elders with extraordinary bearing standing outside the crowd, quietly discussing something.

"The origin stones in the Holy City are too expensive, but they really can yield good things. Not long ago, someone cut out a demonic eye."

"I heard about that too. It wasn't just an eye; it seems fresh demonic bone was also cut out, its value immeasurable."

Er Lengzi stood nearby, listening intently, and whispered, "The more they talk, the more unreliable it gets. If they keep going, immortals flying out of stones and the most beautiful woman in the world emerging will become real."

Wang Shu also chuckled softly, "The older people get, the more they like to fantasize. In their eyes, origin stones contain everything; it wouldn't be impossible for even a heavenly scripture to be unearthed from them."

"What do you two little mud monkeys know?!"

The elders had sharp ears and, hearing their words, turned and glared.

"Origin is the rarest spiritual substance in the world; it can nurture anything," an old man said solemnly. "The things you mentioned have indeed been unearthed before."

"Old man, your beard is all white, so why are you still speaking so confusedly? Are you a bit senile?" Er Lengzi's words were enough to choke someone; he was utterly incapable of speaking politely.

"Damn it, you little brat, what are you saying? Can't you speak properly?!" The old man's beard bristled with anger.

Wang Shu didn't know whether to laugh or cry, tugging at Er Lengzi's sleeve. Then he stepped forward to apologize, "Old sir, please don't take it to heart. My brother is too blunt; he speaks without thinking. There's no need to pay him any mind."

"According to ancient records from Beiyu, over a hundred thousand years ago, during the Desolate Valley Era, an unparalleled beauty was indeed unearthed, emerging from a divine origin stone," one of the elders spoke again. "Unfortunately, despite the pursuit and interception by various Holy Lands, she still managed to escape."

"Really?" Er Lengzi stretched his neck, leaning closer to ask the elders, "How big was that origin stone? Was that woman a demon, or a deity?"

Not far away, Ye Fan's heart stirred as he listened attentively.

"Go stand aside, I can't be bothered with you!" one of the elders snapped, clearly annoyed with Er Lengzi.

"Origin stones contain heavenly secrets. There's a reason why the imperial family of Zhongzhou constantly has peerless masters guarding them and acquires origin stones at any cost."

"I've also heard that the ancestors of that family apparently obtained a heavenly scripture from an origin stone, leading to their unstoppable rise."

Ye Fan's heart trembled. This was truly astonishing. Er Lengzi and Wang Shu exchanged glances, feeling as if they were listening to a mythological tale.

"Old man, is this reliable? Can there really be books in origin stones?" Er Lengzi scratched his head.

"Why are your words so unpleasant, you little brat? Go stand somewhere cool!" The elders, their faces darkening, walked aside and ignored him.

Ye Fan's heart could not calm down. The origin stones contained too many mysteries, far more complex and enigmatic than he had imagined. He was glad he had obtained the Origin Heaven Book. With such a miraculous scripture in his possession, he could traverse the world and unravel all its secrets in the future. It seemed that these stones buried underground contained not only origin but also many other rare and unusual things.

Beneath this vast and boundless land, endless secrets lay buried, waiting to be explored.