Finding Fault with Yuwen Xiong

A moment later, the two stopped in front of a shop named the Gambling Stone Parlor.

Even before entering, they could hear many people inside shouting excitedly.

"Damn it! Another miss! Open another one!"

"I hit it! Hahaha! Top-grade Immortal Spirit Jade! I hit it!"

"This young master refuses to believe it! Not a single win today!"

Hearing the fanatical noises inside, Gu Ling'er unconsciously frowned. "What are you coming here for? I don't like this place."

Slap!

Gu Qingfeng directly gave her rear a smack, eliciting a startled yelp from her.

"You don't like it? Since when do you have a say? Hurry up and lead the way for This Emperor!"

"Oh." Pouting with grievance, Gu Ling'er obediently led the way inside.

Upon entering the Gambling Stone Parlor, they were immediately captivated by the dazzling array of stones within.

Some of the stones radiated brilliant immortal light, while others looked like ordinary, unremarkable rocks. They came in all sizes and bizarre shapes.

A crowd of people milled around these stones.

Gu Qingfeng asked, "What are these stones?"

Gu Ling'er shot him a sidelong glance. "You don't even know that? Then why come to a Gambling Stone Parlor?"

Slap!

Now Gu Ling'er's other side was symmetrical.

"Dare waste one more unnecessary word, and I'll make it four halves."

Gu Ling'er immediately became docile and began explaining obediently:

"These are Immortal Source Stones, born from the origin veins of Immortal Jade deposits.

Each Immortal Source Stone is like a sealed treasure chest. Some contain various kinds of ancient treasures, while others are empty. It's precisely this uncertainty that gave birth to the stone gambling trade.

Based on insight, luck, you select the stone you want, then have it opened to see what treasure you can extract. Once you buy it, the deal is final."

Gu Qingfeng nodded, indicating he understood, and immediately began searching for Yuwen Xiong's location.

After scanning the area, he found the guy wasn't on the first floor.

So he went up to the second floor, and sure enough, spotted Yuwen Xiong surrounded by a crowd.

The Immortal Source Stones on the second floor were clearly of a higher grade than those downstairs, with correspondingly higher prices, so there were relatively fewer people.

At that moment, Yuwen Xiong was gleefully opening a stone.

"He hit again! He actually hit again! Young Master Yuwen truly has a keen eye!"

"Isn't this Young Master Yuwen's fifth win today?"

"Young Master Yuwen is indeed a master of this craft. Please, young master, share some of your expertise!"

Surrounded by the flattery of the crowd, Yuwen Xiong felt immensely pleased and immediately began showing off.

"Easy, easy. When it comes to stone gambling, this young master does have some insights.

First, look at the color and luster. Second, observe the spiritual nature. Third, well, depends on luck.

Take a look, for example, at this gourd-shaped Immortal Source Stone. Although it doesn't appear to shine with immortal light on the surface, its aura is extremely restrained. Touch it, and the texture is smooth. There's a faint vibration within. There's definitely treasure inside."

As Yuwen Xiong spoke, he summoned an attendant to open this gourd-shaped Immortal Source Stone.

As the attendant used a stone-cutting knife to shave off the outer shell of the Immortal Source Stone inch by inch,

With stone chips flying, under the tense gaze of the onlookers, a flash of golden light erupted from within, illuminating the entire second floor.

Someone exclaimed, "It's out! It really came out! And it looks like a sizable piece!"

"Young Master Yuwen is indeed a grandmaster of stone gambling, winning with every purchase, producing treasure with every opening!"

Amid the chorus of praise, a piece of golden, sparkling spirit jade was exposed to the air.

The spirit jade was only about the size of a thumb, yet it was extremely crystalline and translucent, brilliantly golden, radiating dazzling golden light with a sharp, fierce aura. Faintly, it seemed the sound of a dragon's roar could be heard emanating from within the jade.

Someone knowledgeable, seeing this, immediately cried out in astonishment: "That's Golden-Speckled Dragon's Roar Jade! A rare and precious treasure!"

Yuwen Xiong grew even more smug. In truth, he was no stone gambling master at all; he merely relied on his pair of Double Pupils, which allowed him to vaguely discern the treasure aura inside the Immortal Source Stones.

The Double Pupils of the Chongming Immortal Clan were reputed to see through all falsehoods—it wasn't just an empty boast.

For him, stone gambling was practically no different from cheating. Wanting to win every bet was simple.

Gu Qingfeng stared at the currently smug Yuwen Xiong, a malicious, sinister smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

"Hey, hey, you're not going to go hit Yuwen Xiong again, are you? If you really hate him that much, you can challenge him to a duel at the Seven Stars Dharma Assembly. Acting like this will only escalate the conflict." The moment Gu Ling'er saw Yuwen Xiong, she understood why Gu Qingfeng had come here.

She didn't know what grudge existed between the two, or why Gu Qingfeng was always targeting Yuwen Xiong.

Gu Qingfeng scoffed disdainfully. "Hit him? Boring. This Emperor is here today to show off and slap his face. Do you know how to truly slap someone's face? It's by defeating him in the field he's most proficient in!"

Gu Ling'er's face instantly paled with shock. "You're not going to challenge him to stone gambling, are you? You're mad! My father once told me the Double Pupils of the Chongming clan are extremely formidable, capable of seeing the interior of Immortal Source Stones. The stronger the user, the clearer the vision.

There's no way you can win against Yuwen Xiong in stone gambling."

Gu Qingfeng smiled faintly. "Just watch."

With that, he strode towards Yuwen Xiong.

At that moment, Yuwen Xiong was still being fawned over by the crowd, and the number of onlookers was growing, all wanting to learn a thing or two.

"Young Master Yuwen is truly a prodigy! Wins every gamble!"

"Young Master Yuwen, could you pick an Immortal Source Stone for me as well?"

"Young Master Yuwen, I'm willing to offer a high price to buy that Golden-Speckled Dragon's Roar Jade in your hand."

"Hahaha, easy, easy. Mere stone gambling is a minor skill. Although this young master wouldn't call himself a grandmaster, at least losing money is somewhat difficult." Yuwen Xiong laughed proudly.

Right at that moment, suddenly, a discordant voice cut in.

"Heh heh heh... Where did this brat come from, daring to spout such arrogant nonsense!"

The crowd's laughter abruptly halted. Yuwen Xiong's face instantly turned cold as he looked towards the source of the voice.

There stood a figure of tall and straight stature, wearing a black hat that obscured his features.

It was Gu Qingfeng.

Yuwen Xiong sneered coldly. "Judging by your tone, sir, do you have some instruction to offer?"

Gu Qingfeng, wearing the hat that isolated his aura and deliberately lowering his voice, hadn't been recognized by Yuwen Xiong.

"Brat, you're right. This Sovereign does indeed have some instruction for you today. Winning a few measly stones and you become this conceited, not knowing the height of the heavens or the depth of the earth. You should know, there are heavens beyond heavens, and men beyond men."

Yuwen Xiong narrowed his eyes slightly, a cold glint flashing within them.

"Oh? So it seems you, sir, are also a sage hand in this field. Do you perhaps wish for a contest?"

"That is precisely my intention."

"Good!" Yuwen Xiong immediately laughed coldly. Dare to challenge my Chongming clan to stone gambling? Do you have the skill for that?

Since you're seeking death, then don't blame others.

"How about this: we each select one Immortal Source Stone, and see whose extracted treasure holds higher value. The one with the higher value wins. Agreed?"

Gu Qingfeng showed not a trace of fear, replying calmly, "And the stakes?"

"A Great Luo-level immortal weapon. I wonder if you can afford such a bet, sir?" Yuwen Xiong sneered.

"Acceptable."

With Gu Qingfeng's nod of agreement, the surrounding crowd was thoroughly ignited.

A high-stakes gamble!

An absolute high-stakes gamble!

Using a Great Luo immortal weapon as a wager—this was simply too extravagant!

At that moment, Gu Ling'er, who was standing nearby, quietly walked over. With a face full of worry, she tugged at the corner of Gu Qingfeng's sleeve and transmitted her voice to him, "How could you agree to a gambling match on Immortal Source Stones with the Chongming Clan? Their Double Pupils are far too formidable. And even if you could also see through the secrets within the stones, at best you'd end in a draw. This entire wager is pointless."

Gu Qingfeng gave a faint smile. Admittedly, what Gu Ling'er said was correct. If both sides were using a form of 'see-through' ability, then gambling on stones truly would lose its meaning.

However, he did not possess such a 'see-through' ability. He could not peer through the Immortal Source Stones like Yuwen Xiong could. In fact, this was his very first time engaging in stone gambling; one could say he was lacking in every aspect.

Yet, Gu Qingfeng was not the least bit worried.

In a calm and unhurried tone, he said, "Just watch quietly from the side. This Emperor has a guaranteed method for victory!"