Chapter 347: Desire to Help the Divine King

The Red Dragon Daoist, gaunt and still wearing his ancient robe, stared at the small golden creature, a faint red glow flickering in his eyes.

The tiny creature, resembling a true dragon, felt a chill from his gaze and timidly hid behind the little nun in white. It secretly poked its head out, observing with trepidation.

"Don't be scared, little one," the little nun in white comforted it, placing it on her shoulder.

The moment the Red Dragon Daoist appeared, the old men with dwindling lifespans became deeply apprehensive and stopped speaking carelessly.

Others, unaware of his identity, continued their discussions, and the stone garden remained noisy.

"Nine Transformations of the Divine Silkworm..." the Red Dragon Daoist whispered. He looked up at the sky, then down at the ground, as if sensing something.

Ye Fan wanted to approach and greet him, but with a flash of red light, the Daoist's figure became ethereal and he vanished instantly, not lingering for long.

"Why did he leave so fast..." Ye Fan had originally intended to leverage the Red Dragon Daoist's power.

Li Heishui squeezed through the crowd and helped Ye Fan collect the sources. The ground was covered in colorful sources, resembling an array of precious gems.

"Thank you both for your repeated help, and for gifting so many sources today. You are truly generous," he chuckled loudly.

Wu Ziming's eyes blazed with fury, and Li Chongtian's nose was almost twisted out of shape from anger. Both remained silent, grinding their teeth.

"And this venerable elder, you truly have a heart of gold. You've supported us many times."

Li Yishui, the Grand Elder of the Illusory Demise Palace, was seething with rage. He longed to slap the audacious young man flying in front of him, but could only suppress his anger.

He felt utterly humiliated. It was a miserable situation – in less than half an hour, he had practically thrown himself into a pit, losing 200,000 jin of source in total.

Most of it was borrowed, and he wouldn't be able to pay it back for the rest of his life. Thinking of such a wretched plight, he nearly fainted and desperately wanted to slap himself.

"Elder, don't tremble; excessive anger harms your health. With your shrewdness, you could even devise a scheme like snatching rare stones. Surely, you won't struggle to acquire more sources?"

Li Heishui added fuel to the fire, kicking him while he was down, maintaining a calm and unruffled demeanor, much like the Grand Elder of the Illusory Demise Palace had behaved not long ago.

Others who had gambled against Ye Fan were equally devastated, their faces ashen with embarrassment and profound regret.

When Tuoba Chang cut out the Divine Source, they thought victory was assured, but they still suffered a crushing defeat. Was there any justice left? Heaven was clearly conspiring against them.

The several piles of sources on the ground totaled 143,000 jin, sparkling like brilliant, multicolored gems.

With a sweep of his sleeve, Ye Fan collected all the sources. At that moment, many felt their hearts bleeding, on the verge of tears.

"Brother Tuoba, according to our prior agreement, our wager was 100,000 jin of source. How will you pay me?" Ye Fan asked.

Tuoba Chang, despite being the first heir of an ancient Source Technique family, had only brought 100,000 jin of source. He already owed the Ji family over 300,000 jin of source for stone cutting.

"I'll engrave a stone inscription for you; I'll repay you in a few days!"

Ye Fan smiled and said, "Why don't you write it for the Ji family instead? You can owe another 100,000 jin of source, and then I'll use those sources for stone gambling. How does that sound?"

"Alright!" Tuoba Chang gritted his teeth.

But this time, the Ji family firmly refused, wishing they could send both of them away immediately.

Strictly speaking, the Ji family hadn't suffered a major loss. Ye Fan had invested 450,000 jin of source for stone cutting, and Tuoba Chang had invested a similar amount.

Both were incredibly reckless, throwing over 900,000 jin in total.

Of course, after cutting out the Divine Source and the Divine Silkworm, everything was recovered.

The biggest winner was undoubtedly Ye Fan. With two Divine Sources and the small golden creature, exceeding one million jin of source, it was indeed a shocking gamble.

Ye Fan squeezed out of the crowd and began selecting stones again. For his last attempt, he had paid 120,000 jin of source. He didn't buy any sky-high-priced rare stones, but merely chose a 30,000-jin stone material from which he cut out the small golden spirit.

"This is too insane! Is he still going to cut stones?"

"Could he possibly cut out another peerless treasure?"

Everyone watched him intently as he continued to cut out astonishing items. Ye Fan's every move garnered immense attention.

The Ji family, though reluctantly, allowed him to continue selecting stones. In truth, they desperately wanted to kick him out, as such individuals were the most unwelcome in sacred land stone workshops.

"The stone under this ancient tree, the one among the vines ahead..." Li Heishui constantly pointed, having found seven or eight rare stones that had moved position.

Ye Fan immediately frowned. The Stone King had gained sentience and was deliberately exposing weaknesses; this was undoubtedly a provocation.

"If I were a Source Heavenly Master, could you still escape?" he muttered to himself.

Ultimately, Ye Fan shook his head. This Stone King had become sentient and must contain an astonishing treasure, but he couldn't find it at the moment.

He believed that even if he spent millions of jin of source to cut open all the precious stones in the Heaven-tier Stone Garden, he might not find it. He suspected the Stone King was not in the Heaven-tier Stone Garden, perhaps in the lake, or on the shore, making it difficult to pinpoint its location.

Ye Fan selected two more stone materials, but no rare treasures emerged. However, he didn't lose money either, as he cut out some exotic sources.

Finally, his gaze fell on the center of the small island. Beneath a towering ancient tree lay a smooth purple stone, where the Ji family stone garden's guardian often sat in meditation.

He checked the price; cutting open this stone would perfectly use up all 90,000 jin of source.

"This stone cannot be cut; it is the ancestor's cultivation place," someone objected.

"Isn't it priced?" Li Heishui asked.

"Let them cut it," the silver-haired elder waved his hand.

"Never mind, this is an elder's meditation spot; it wouldn't be right for us to disturb it," Ye Fan shook his head.

In the end, all 90,000 jin of source were spent. No rare treasures emerged, but he didn't lose money either, cutting out some large exotic sources.

"Are you giving up just like that, not looking for the Stone King anymore?" Li Heishui transmitted privately.

"I'd like to find it, but I can't. Even if I did cut it out, I probably couldn't keep it. It would undoubtedly be an astonishing sacred artifact, likely triggering a bloody free-for-all. I'll come back another day."

If the Red Dragon Daoist hadn't left, he might have tried his luck. But at this moment, he dismissed the idea.

The great stone-gambling battle thus concluded. Ye Fan had reaped immense rewards, making many envious, but no one could plot against him.

At this moment, numerous major powers, including those from the Sacred Lands, surrounded him and extended olive branches.

The Northern Region produces sources. Such a genius in Source Techniques was a VIP among all major powers, and many old elders eagerly sought to win him over.

Of course, the bidding for the small golden creature had also begun. Ordinary people couldn't afford to raise it, but it was certainly not an issue for the Sacred Lands.

"Young friend, I have prepared a banquet. How about we share a drink and chat later?"

"I have already reserved a VIP divine garden at the Golden Family's Drunken Immortal Pavilion. Young Master Gu, you must come."

Even Li Heishui couldn't escape, being pulled by a group of elders whose fervent gazes made him uneasy.

An Miaoyi, Jin Chixiao, Xiang Yifei, and others were incredibly enthusiastic, all wanting to buy the small golden spirit. Among them, Jiang Zaofei and the Great Xia Prince were the most resolute, appearing willing to pay any price.

"Brothers, it wouldn't be appropriate to sell it to anyone directly. Why not send it to our Sky Demon Treasure Pavilion for auction?" Yao Yuekong stepped forward and suggested.

"There's no need to go there; their commission is as high as ten percent. Young Master Gu, don't you think that's a waste?" an elder objected.

They worried that once the news spread, more people would contend for it, leading to an unimaginably astronomical price. Even a corpse cut from a source was considered a treasure worth studying, let alone a living Divine Silkworm!

Ye Fan and Li Heishui discussed for a long time whether to sell the small golden spirit.

The Nine Transformations of the Divine Silkworm were peerless, its value immeasurable. However, achieving them was incredibly difficult, even in ancient times, let alone in the current era.

"I've decided," Ye Fan announced, "this Divine Silkworm is not for sale."

A deathly silence fell over the scene, followed by a chilling surge of killing intent, dozens of strands emanating from unknown sources.

Ye Fan's heart skipped a beat. The major powers were determined to have it; if he insisted on not selling, his life might be in danger.

"I intend to lease it out."

As soon as he spoke, the killing intent dissipated, replaced by gasps of surprise. Many people began to speak up.

"You can rent this? It's a living creature."

"This is also..."

"How would that even work?"

Many people murmured, and the major powers calmed down, asking questions.

"The starting price is 600,000 jin of source, for a duration until it undergoes its third transformation," Ye Fan stated.

"Young man, you truly dare to name such an exorbitant price. The Source Heavenly Master once said a Divine Silkworm's value is 600,000 jin of source, yet you're only leasing it out and still demand such a high price."

Ye Fan smiled, saying nothing more, for he understood that whether leased or sold, the outcome would be the same. Once it entered the hands of these major powers, it would be impossible to get it back.

Therefore, he offered it for lease but charged a selling price.

This had multiple benefits. Firstly, he wouldn't suffer a loss, being compensated with sources. Secondly, by calling it a lease, he retained the possibility of reclaiming it later, should he become powerful enough.

"800,000 jin of source, my Great Xia Dynasty will lease it!"

Suddenly, a majestic voice rang out. A group of elders turned their heads, realizing a middle-aged man had appeared in the stone garden at some point.

He wore golden dragon robes and a dragon crown, tall and exceptionally imposing. Faintly, nine true dragons seemed to coil around his body, and the dragon crown on his head bore a dragon head formed from dragon qi, a truly awe-inspiring sight.

"Imperial Uncle," the Great Xia Prince and Princess stepped forward to greet him.

He nodded, exuding an unparalleled powerful aura that suppressed the group of elders, rendering them speechless.

This was undoubtedly a Saint Lord-level figure. Only the Ji family's silver-haired elder remained unaffected, calmly facing him.

"Ji Gui..." The Great Xia Dynasty's prominent figure's lips subtly moved, clearly transmitting a message.

"Very well, I shall not contend with Brother Xia," the silver-haired elder nodded.

As for everyone else, they couldn't interject. Faced with such a powerful being, the elders were completely suppressed.

"Young friend, what do you think?" the great figure from the Undying Divine Dynasty spoke, questioning Ye Fan.

Ye Fan and Li Heishui were not suppressed. Without much hesitation, he nodded in agreement. Regardless, he knew he couldn't keep the small golden spirit, as numerous major powers were coveting it.

"Very well, I will raise 800,000 jin of source within three days." The powerful figure from the Undying Divine Dynasty vanished instantly after saying this.

Ye Fan cutting out a creature more precious than Divine Source truly astonished the Divine City. First, the Red Dragon Daoist, then the Great Xia's Imperial Uncle, had successively appeared.

The little nun in white cheered, very pleased.

Only then did others finally breathe a sigh of relief and regain the ability to speak.

"This is too overbearing, using power to suppress people! We weren't even allowed to speak."

"Do you really expect to reason with a Saint Lord-level figure?"

Many were displeased, especially figures from major powers. However, they were helpless; a great powerful being held such a high position that they couldn't contend against him.

Ye Fan leasing out the small spirit was truly killing three birds with one stone.

Firstly, it diverted the attention of the Sacred Lands; otherwise, his life would certainly be in danger. Secondly, this small golden creature was a true "prodigal son" and impossible to afford, so doing this was like finding someone else to raise it.

Lastly, sending the creature out this way would gain him many sources, and if he became powerful enough in the future, he could righteously reclaim it.

Being treated as a rare treasure for lease, the small golden creature was furious, its large eyes wide and round. It continuously bared its fangs and claws at Ye Fan.

"Don't be angry, little one. You'll have as much source as you want to eat," the little nun in white comforted it.

"Good thing we leased it out," Li Heishui said. "Otherwise, this little thing is so fast, it might run away at any time."

Ye Fan nodded and said, "Even if it stayed with me, it would probably just scheme for Divine Source. Once it got some, it would surely bolt."

"Exactly. It's not the thief that steals you fear, but the thief that constantly eyes your possessions; you can't guard against that indefinitely."

The two comforted themselves. Making this decision was mainly out of necessity, as the Sacred Lands wouldn't allow them to take it away.

"The Divine Silkworm belongs to the little nun, and the little nun is..." Before Li Heishui could finish, Ye Fan quickly gestured for him to stop talking.

The Great Xia Prince and Princess had already walked up behind him. Xia Yiming, with a dark expression, said, "Brother, I don't wish to hear such words again."

"It's absolutely a misunderstanding..." Li Heishui hastily explained.

The small golden creature and Princess Xia Yilin of Great Xia genuinely got along well; their large eyes blinked in unison, sharing a similar charm.

The great stone-gambling battle finally concluded. It was a long time before the crowd completely dispersed.

Ye Fan and Li Heishui were surrounded. Even though the Divine Silkworm now had an owner, the major powers still vigorously tried to win them over.

In the following days, both were busy with various social engagements, appearing at banquets hosted by major powers.

On the third day, the great figure from the Undying Divine Dynasty personally delivered 800,000 jin of source. Within two days, Tuoba Chang also repaid the 100,000 jin of source.

In the subsequent days, Ye Fan successively entered the stone workshops of three Sacred Lands and made large purchases.

However, he didn't cut out any peerless treasures, merely converting the pure sources he possessed into exotic sources through stone gambling.

So-called astonishing treasures were rare encounters, not something he could always cut out; otherwise, they wouldn't be called rare treasures.

By now, Ye Fan had acquired enough sources to advance in cultivation.

He decided to temporarily leave the Divine City because his recent prominence was too great, and he needed to lie low and find a quiet place to break through his cultivation realm.

At the same time, he also wanted to do one thing: help the Divine King Jiang Taixu escape his predicament.

Jiang Taixu had taught him the Dou Zhan Sacred Art, a kindness he could never forget, and he had constantly pondered how to repay it.

Now, the Sacred Lands were about to use their Ultimate Dao Sacred Weapons to break open Purple Mountain. If Divine King Jiang Taixu was still alive, he might be rescued, and Ye Fan needed to relay this news to the Jiang family.

How was little Tingting? How was old Uncle Jiang? He had always missed them dearly.

He had been in the Northern Region for a long time but had never approached the area where the Desolate Ancient Jiang Family resided.

Outside the Divine City, Li Heishui saw Ye Fan off and asked, "Brother, when will you return?"

"I'll be back soon; I still need more sources!" Ye Fan replied.

"Come back soon. Those eight madmen and several people from ancient Source Technique families have arrived, wanting to have a grand Source Technique duel with you," Li Heishui relayed this news.