I Accumulate Spirit Roots for My Next Life

Chapter 405 - 254: Another Lesson

During the stone unwrapping process, Li Qingyun appeared calm, but in reality, he was very nervous within.

Even the presence of Hong Luan beside Li Jizhou did not pique his interest.

This was, after all, another nine hundred thousand Middle Grade Spirit Stones; if it failed again, it wouldn’t just be a simple scolding.

Although the succession of the throne traditionally favors the eldest, there’s no guarantee his father won’t become enraged and kill him directly, in which case the position of Prince of Yun would naturally pass to his younger brother.

Amidst his tension, he glanced at the old shopkeeper.

The old shopkeeper was his confidant, always very loyal.

Seeing the old shopkeeper nod solemnly, he felt slightly relieved.

The rest of the people were even more eagerly anticipating, not only to witness the emergence of a precious treasure but also to see Li Jizhou’s stone viewing skills confirmed.

With each cut of the blade, as the stone chips peeled away and the interior gradually revealed itself, the atmosphere became more tense.

It was because of this that no one noticed Li Jizhou by the small pond in the corner.

Li Jizhou had nearly turned over the entire small pond, yet the Stone King that Liu Hongling sensed was nowhere to be found.

"Master, legend has it that the Stone King has developed intelligence, seeking benefits and avoiding harm, so it might be hidden deep." Liu Hongling confidently reassured Li Jizhou.

"Hmm!" Li Jizhou nodded, not doubting her in the slightest, and continued his search.

"What do they usually have inside the Stone King?"

"I learned in the Cangming Dynasty’s mining area that for a Spirit Stone Ore to become a Stone King, it must contain vitality. The blend of vitality and Spiritual Qi allows the ore to develop intelligence," Liu Hongling explained.

"Vitality? Could it be a living creature?" Li Jizhou raised an eyebrow slightly.

His understanding of Spirit Stone Ores was limited; it was only from legends that some ore releases contained creatures from the Ancestral Spiritual Sea, wrapped in Spiritual Liquid and carried to the mining area by the tides.

Such creatures, capable of surviving in the Ancestral Spiritual Sea, are generally extraordinary, and being preserved for tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands of years while still maintaining vitality, is truly astounding.

"I’ve only heard rumors, never actually seen it," Liu Hongling admitted honestly.

Li Jizhou ceased speaking further and began to search deeper for the Stone King.

"It’s opening, it’s opening! How is it? Can you see what’s inside?" Two hours later, as a large piece of stone shell fell away, someone couldn’t help but shout out.

"This... this..." The stone unwrapping master, the chief craftsman of the workshop, usually steady, now wore a look of disbelief.

Seeing this, the expressions of everyone around changed, eager to know what had happened.

Li Qingyun felt his heart leap into his throat.

"What’s going on?" He walked directly to the stone master.

"What on earth is happening?" the next moment, Li Qingyun’s furious roar echoed out.

He stared directly at the stone master.

"Crown Prince, I..." The stone master panicked, his old forehead soaked in sweat.

The Chief Shopkeeper, witnessing this scene, felt his legs weaken instantly.

He had worried before.

He also knew that if the Crown Prince failed again, he might be killed.

But ultimately, Li Jizhou’s outstanding performance had dispelled the last doubts, firmly believing this stone was unusual.

But at this moment, he was afraid.

"Hiss! The Spiritual Eye is destroyed?" At this point, someone finally saw the truth.

"What? The Spiritual Eye is destroyed? This... doesn’t this mean we can’t even know what’s inside?"

"No need to say, the young man’s selection surely couldn’t go wrong, it must have been a great treasure. It’s a pity, once the Spiritual Eye is destroyed, don’t expect anything inside!"

"Nine hundred thousand Middle Grade Spirit Stones! A great treasure! Alas!"

...

In an instant, the lamentations from those around sounded as if they were the biggest losers.

"Thunk~" The Chief Shopkeeper, halfway through his steps, nearly stumbled upon hearing the result.

"Crown Prince, although I dare not claim my skills infallible, I can assure you this stone was not damaged by my carelessness; the Spiritual Eye... must have been faulty from the start!" The stone master wailed his explanation after hesitating for a long time.

"You truly deserve to die!" Li Qingyun gritted his teeth angrily, staring at the stone master as though flames would burst from his eyes.

"I..."

The chief stone master had a face full of grievance, unable to defend himself.

Everyone knew that although all Spirit Stone Ores have a Spiritual Eye, before breaking the stone shell, the Spiritual Eye wouldn’t usually destroy itself.

In his lifetime of stone crafting, he had never encountered such a situation.

At this moment, it was truly like touching muddy pants.

The Chief Shopkeeper shivered, letting out a long breath.

"Old Mo! How could you be so careless? This raw stone was confirmed to hold a great treasure, you... alas!"

"Old Yu, others may not know me, but don’t you know me?" The chief stone resolver glared angrily at the chief shopkeeper.

The reason why the chief shopkeeper could establish himself in the Black Stone Workshop back in the day was because he vouched for him as chief stone resolver.

Hometown friendship, childhood comradeship, not seeking rescue from water and fire, but never would have expected to be kicked when down!

"Guards, take him to the dungeon, we’ll talk when my father emerges!" Li Qingyun felt heavy-hearted and finally decided to use him as a scapegoat, at least to slightly lessen his father’s wrath.

"Crown Prince, this old slave can definitely ascertain there’s a great treasure in this! If Old Mo hadn’t made a mistake, it would surely astound the entire Black Stone City, indeed, when the Prince emerges..." The chief shopkeeper stepped forward with shared hostility and assured.

Li Qingyun abruptly raised his hand, closing his eyes, his expression oscillating.

At this point, whatever the chief shopkeeper says is immaterial.

But he knows his own inner suffering.

No matter how he explains or passes the buck, punishment from his father when he emerges cannot be avoided.

Two raw stones wasted in one day! And both were store treasures, 1.8 million Middle Grade Spirit Stones lost, he can’t bear it!

But ultimately, he chose to trust the chief shopkeeper.

At least the chief shopkeeper can still serve as a witness.

What else can he do?

"Crown Prince, that young... that gentleman is still here, why not..." Seeing Li Qingyun about to leave in frustration, the chief shopkeeper’s eyes lit up.

With that thief’s temperament, it’s rather suitable to kill two birds with one stone.

Upon hearing this, Li Qingyun naturally looked towards Li Jizhou.

"Does he really have the ability to appraise stones?" Having been struck once more, Li Qingyun was somewhat skeptical.

Meanwhile, Li Jizhou had stopped his search for the Stone King amidst the chaos earlier, standing by and observing the situation.

Curious to see how his mysterious descendant would react.

Just finishing the drama, and the chief shopkeeper’s old dog comes out unscathed, instead the stone resolver suffers, he was slightly disappointed.

Li Qingyun took a deep breath, thinking of the two raw stones wasted in one day, feeling reluctant, much like a common gambler, unable to easily concede after losing?

"Young brother, pleasure to meet you!" Li Qingyun approached Li Jizhou with polite gesture.

Young brother? Li Jizhou glanced at him, amused internally.

However, seeing the chief shopkeeper’s smile, he held back for now.

"What can I learn from the Crown Prince?"

"Not to instruct, this Crown Prince always cherishes talent, just heard from Old Yu that you have the ability to appraise stones, keen to make your acquaintance." Li Qingyun seemed eager to employ Li Jizhou.

"Heh, how does the Crown Prince wish to associate?"

"It’s simple, mere hearsay, now if you can choose a raw stone in front of me, prove yourself, you will be mine." Knowing beforehand that Li Jizhou entered the city under the merchant association of Yunzhou City, and only had Early Stage of Foundation Establishment cultivation, subconsciously viewing Li Jizhou as a merchant offspring.

Merchants, regardless of wealth, cannot evade the vulgar custom of hobnobbing.

Hearing this, Li Jizhou smiled slightly, with a playful hint in his gaze.

"The Crown Prince doesn’t often appreciate others, young friend should seize the chance, however affluent a merchant house is, it pales against wielding power." The chief shopkeeper smiled and reminded.

Li Jizhou chuckled freely.

"Since the Crown Prince regards me highly, this matter is feasible." Saying this, Li Jizhou casually walked to a raw stone.

This was inspected by Liu Hongling before, containing Top-Grade Spirit Stone, merely a basin-sized raw stone, yet containing a hundred Top-Grade Spirit Stones.

However, compared to its selling price of eight thousand Middle Grade Spirit Stones, it’s not greatly profitable, thus he hadn’t bought it earlier.

"This raw stone contains Top-Grade, it will certainly rise!"

Li Qingyun slightly furrowed his brow but hesitated not, nodding to the chief shopkeeper.

Mere eight thousand Spirit Stones, he could afford it.

Another stone resolver was summoned, a quarter-hour later, the stone was resolved.

Seeing indeed Top-Grade Spirit Stones with value greater than purchase price, Li Qingyun’s interest peaked.

"Not bad, turns out not exaggerated, this stone is yours! Proceed, if three more pieces rise subsequently, this Crown Prince promises you great fortune!"

Li Jizhou smiled nonchalantly, following suit, quickly choosing three raw stones.

None a loss, yet not too profitable either.

"Good, good, brother is truly wise, this Crown Prince recognizes you, come, come, assist this Crown Prince with the remaining three store treasures! If accurate, the head of the palace is yours!" Li Qingyun rejoiced.

"Really?" Li Jizhou asked with a smile,

But his question was if Li Qingyun truly wished to resolve those store treasures?

"A Crown Prince’s word is his bond!" Li Qingyun presumed he referred to the position.

Li Jizhou nodded smilingly.

In that case, let’s give his mysterious descendant another lesson!