Chapter 338: Source Techniques Duel, Storms Arise

"We'll be waiting for you at the Holy Land Stone Workshop," Wu Ziming stated. "It will be a contest between the extraordinary techniques of a Source Art aristocratic family and crude, rural methods." Li Chongtian sneered back over his shoulder as they walked away with the richly dressed Tuoba Chang.

"Little Ye Zi, if you don't win everything from them, including the shirts off their backs, you'll be letting me down, and even more so, letting them down," Li Heishui secretly whispered, unable to swallow his anger and feeling an urge to explode.

"Miaoyi will certainly be there to watch little brother Gu Feng display his might," An Miaoyi said with a faint smile. Dressed in flowing white, she drifted away on the wind, as if treading on clouds, leaving the Heavenly Demon Treasury.

"This will undoubtedly be an epic showdown, not to be missed," the Great Xia Prince chuckled, departing with the young nun dressed in white.

Afterward, Jiang Yifei offered a friendly smile to Ye Fan and Li Heishui before also departing.

Ye Fan returned to the Heavenly Demon Treasury to collect his auction proceeds. The Archaic Divine Medicine and the Human Element Fruit sold for a total of 530,000 jin of source. The auction house was due to collect a 10% commission, amounting to 53,000 jin of source. However, they reduced it by 3,000 jin, so Ye Fan's actual gain was 480,000 jin of source, an amount resembling a small mountain.

He felt a headache coming on. Without converting it into exotic sources, it would be impossible to refine, and he would be overwhelmed by the sheer quantity. However, there was no immediate need to convert it. He still planned to gamble on stones, which would allow him to spend these sources and acquire even more precious items.

Yao Yuekong repeatedly urged them to stay for drinks. Source art geniuses were valuable assets for all major powers, particularly for auction houses like the Heavenly Demon Treasury, which sought to cultivate good relationships.

"Please, brothers, let's celebrate properly today," Yao Yuekong said with a smile."Alright, let's drink our fill today. Tomorrow, we'll go deal with that 'mop'," Li Heishui replied."Which 'mop'?" Yao Yuekong asked, amused.Li Heishui explained, "The one from the ancient Source Art aristocratic family, who calls himself a world-shocking genius, even more arrogant than the Source Heaven Master—Tuoba Chang.""Ah, so it's *that* ancient family. They truly have a profound history. Come, let's talk while we drink."

The Tuoba family was extremely ancient, with a long and unique legacy. They were known as one of the "Four Source Art Sects" alongside three other prominent families. As long as the Source Heaven Master lineage remained absent, no one could surpass them. The ancient Source Art families were filled with talented individuals, producing geniuses regularly. They were highly esteemed by the Holy Lands, and if anything strange or mysterious occurred at a source mine, these families would certainly be consulted.

The banquet lasted from noon until evening, with hosts and guests thoroughly enjoying themselves. Only then did Ye Fan and Li Heishui bid their farewells and depart.

At the Heavenly Demon Treasury, a fragmented Archaic Divine Medicine was auctioned for an astronomical price, causing a sensation throughout the Divine City. Without a doubt, Ye Fan, this source art genius, became the object of much envy, having instantly acquired hundreds of thousands of jin of source. Many people were discussing his feat.

In the following days, the stone workshops of the Holy Lands became significantly more popular, especially the Dao Yi Holy Land. There was a constant stream of visitors daily, many hoping that the same source mine might yield a second Archaic Divine Medicine.

Ye Fan and Li Heishui remained very low-key, staying indoors. With so many influential figures present in the Divine City, they did not wish to become the focus of attention again at this time.

Grand figures from the Immortal Dynasties of Central State, various Holy Lords from the Eastern Wasteland, and even Holy Monks from the Western Desert were all still present in the Divine City. Being overly conspicuous might lead to unwanted encounters with these powerful individuals. Despite their discretion, many people continued to talk about Ye Fan during these days. How could someone who had unearthed an ancient divine medicine possibly be overlooked?

Although he remained out of public view, Ye Fan gained considerable fame in the Divine City over these past days. When discussing source arts and stone gambling, his name was inevitably mentioned.

Within seven days, even more mysterious figures appeared in the Holy City. Various schools of thought from Central State and major sect masters all made their presence known, a truly shocking development! It was evident that they were after the inheritance of Emperor Wu Shi, having traversed the void and passed through the Divine City on their way.

The Eastern Wasteland was immediately shaken. Even the Holy Lands sounded the alarm, as Central State was simply too powerful, causing apprehension and prompting increased vigilance. With the various schools of thought and major sect masters from Central State personally arriving, even the Holy Lands of the Eastern Wasteland felt overwhelmed, and competitive pressure surged.

Without a doubt, the third assault on Purple Mountain would be an earth-shattering event!

Finally, half a month later, many major figures successively departed, heading to Purple Mountain to prepare for the upcoming general assault.

Over the past half-month, another source art genius quickly rose to prominence in the Divine City. Tuoba Chang made a name for himself, displaying astonishing source art techniques in just over ten days, with only a few demonstrations.

At the stone workshops of the Holy Lands, even white-haired source masters sought his counsel and listened to his teachings.

Simultaneously, rumors circulated throughout the city that the source art genius Gu Feng was staying indoors out of fear of Tuoba Chang, not daring to enter the stone workshops. Initially, people naturally didn't believe it. However, Ye Fan and Li Heishui had been absent for half a month, not returning to gamble on stones, and the rumors gradually gained traction. Eventually, many people came to believe that the world-shocking genius Tuoba Chang from the ancient Source Art family had arrived in the Divine City, and the other source art genius, Gu Feng, was indeed avoiding a confrontation.

"Didn't he cut out an Archaic Divine Medicine? With such a grand feat, how could he be afraid to confront others in source art?""What do you know?" someone retorted. "The Tuoba family is a holy land of source art, representing the supreme legacy. Even the former Source Heaven Master visited them."Throughout the city, in streets and alleys, many people were engaged in this discussion.

In the Northern Region, everything revolved around sources, and almost everyone possessed some understanding of them. Naturally, everything related to the stone workshops spread quickly and widely."The young source art genius Gu Feng even dared to approach the Nine-Orifice Stone Man. That stone man had been there for so many years, with no one optimistic about it, yet he managed to cut out a Holy Spirit Sword!""This only proves how formidable Tuoba Chang is, if even Gu Feng is avoiding a fight," someone added."Tuoba Chang must possess world-shattering source art. It's rumored he cut out Divine Source years ago, and by now, he must be even more powerful."Many in the Divine City were talking about how Tuoba Chang, despite having made few public appearances, had gained immense fame, his reputation soaring like the noonday sun.

As Ye Fan walked onto the street, he overheard numerous rumors. He hadn't expected that half a month of seclusion would lead to such widespread speculation.Li Heishui sneered, "These are definitely rumors spread by Wu Ziming and Li Chongtian, slandering us while elevating that Tuoba Chang."

After walking through the city, they heard far too many rumors, as if they were genuinely afraid and unwilling to accept the challenge.

"Oh, they've appeared! Are they finally going to accept the challenge?""The young man who cut out the Archaic Divine Medicine has shown up again. Is he entering the stone gambling workshop today?""There's definitely going to be a big show to watch now."Some people recognized them and pointed from behind.

"What are you all talking about?" Li Heishui boldly declared. "We were merely in seclusion for half a month; how did so many rumors spread? Does anyone here know that pig-head Wu Ziming? Go tell him that the two Gambling Saints have emerged from seclusion, and tell them to hurry up and bring their sources!"

A sudden commotion erupted on the street, and the news spread like wildfire. Without a doubt, a great spectacle was about to unfold, and many people, upon hearing the news, rushed toward the various streets.

"Those two have appeared again! There's truly going to be a source art duel! Now we have a good show to watch!""That's right, they're on the street ahead. It looks like they might be heading to the Ji family's stone workshop."This created an unusual spectacle: as soon as Ye Fan and Li Heishui appeared, it caused a mass exodus, with thousands of people pouring into the streets and converging in one area.

The various streets became packed with people, as many stone gambling enthusiasts rushed to the scene.

"Brother Gu, is what you're saying true? Are you really going to duel Tuoba Chang in source art?" someone shouted.Li Heishui, feigning indifference, replied, "Didn't I just say? Whoever delivers the message to that pig-head Wu Ziming, tell him not to bother showing up unless he's prepared with 100,000 jin of source. We don't accept meager gifts!"

The crowd erupted in an uproar. This young man was incredibly confident. Setting aside the matter of source art, few would dare to speak so boldly about individuals of Wu Ziming and his companions' standing.

The Ji family's stone workshop covered a vast area, stretching out like a royal garden. Inside, curious stones were arranged, beautiful trees flourished, and small bridges spanned flowing water, creating a pleasant scenery. Numerous stone materials were naturally piled up, and each stone garden possessed its unique charm. Some stone gardens were misty, reminiscent of a water town in the Southern Region, while others featured swaying maple trees, like red leaves fluttering in the frost of the Northern Lands.

Upon learning of the source art genius's arrival, the Ji family's stone workshop reacted as if facing a formidable enemy. Had it been anyone else, they would naturally have welcomed them as guests. However, Ye Fan and Li Heishui's previous feat of unearthing an Archaic Divine Medicine and revealing the Holy Spirit Sword from the Nine-Orifice Stone Man had caused too great a stir.

Now everyone understood that these two possessed profound and astonishing source art. It was almost a given that any stone they chose would contain a rare treasure. Such individuals were not welcome in any stone workshop. If they were to unearth some peerless treasure from the Ji family's Heaven-grade stone garden, it would undoubtedly cause them immense pain.

The Ji family's stone workshop staff considered putting away some of their exorbitantly priced rare stones, but they didn't know which ones contained divine objects, making the selection difficult. Furthermore, if they actually did remove them, it would likely make the people of Divine City mock them, as those high-priced stones were too famous, and the absence of any one would be immediately noticed.

Ye Fan strode through the stone garden, passing through eighteen sections without stopping, heading straight for the deepest part. His target was clearly the Heaven-grade stone garden.

This caused the Ji family's stone workshop staff's hearts to sink, and they felt a palpable pressure. It was just as it had been when the legendary Source Heaven Master roamed the Northern Region: whenever he appeared, all the Holy Land stone workshops would be filled with trepidation. Now, although Ye Fan had only gambled once at the Dao Yi Holy Land, the items he unearthed were so extraordinary that he possessed some of the Source Heaven Master's formidable prestige, making people wary.

"Why aren't Wu Ziming and Tuoba Chang here to deliver the sources yet?" Li Heishui asked, his demeanor exuding the confidence of a gambling saint.The crowd was speechless. This young man was truly assertive. The rumors of the past half-month had been dispelled without a fight; this was clearly a fierce counter-attack.

More and more people arrived, and the Ji family's stone workshop became packed. Many people in the Divine City, having learned that a source art battle was imminent, rushed to the location.

Before long, Ye Fan arrived at the deepest part of the stone workshop. Here lay a crystal-blue lake, brimming with spiritual energy and exceptionally beautiful. In the center of the pale blue water was a small island, only a few hundred meters in circumference, covered with blossoming trees. A shower of petals drifted down, each one crystal-like and fragrant, wafting across the lake. This island in the lake was the Ji family's Heaven-grade stone garden, as beautiful and almost as dreamlike as a divine realm.

Suddenly, a commotion arose from behind, and everyone quickly moved aside, clearing a path."You really dare to show up," Wu Ziming sneered, his voice carrying from afar, mockingly declaring, "Today, it's the extraordinary techniques of the Source Art aristocratic family against crude rural methods.""Tuoba Chang, the genius from the ancient Source Art family, has arrived!"The lakeside erupted in a clamor. The main contestants had arrived, and everyone knew that a great source art duel was now inevitable.