"So many people, excellent!" Chu Feiyang sneered after listening to his two subordinates recount the situation. "When my elder brother arrives, he'll teach this little brat a lesson in front of everyone, then kill that Jiang fellow. Let's see who dares to provoke this Prince!"
"Yes, Third Prince's stratagem is unparalleled!" his subordinates praised.
Chu Feiyang checked the transmission jade pendant in his hand, confirming its location was activated so his elder brother could find him easily. He then walked towards the Qi Shi Hall ahead.
It wouldn't be long before there was a good show!
Hmph, hmph, hmph...
Next, Su Luo opened the fourth, fifth, and sixth ore stones without any error.
Although the price of the ore stones had risen from three million to five million, each cut gem exceeded the purchase price. Everyone was going mad, scrambling to hand money to Su Luo.
Su Luo had earned a full twelve million spirit coins, finally making enough for the next two months' expenses!
Li Tianjue stood behind her the entire time, watching her open one ore stone after another and collect money.
His initial doubts had turned into surprise and admiration. He couldn't fathom how Su Luo could judge these ore stones to contain valuable gems.
No one had ever possessed such an ability. Even the most skilled appraiser, someone who had cut ores for decades, couldn't ascertain the type of gem inside through the rough stone skin. Yet, Su Luo had accomplished it.
Could this be another of her special abilities?
Finally, it was time for the last ore stone, the largest one.
This ore stone was as large as a millstone and weighed over a thousand catties. Just looking at it made everyone excited. Countless people eyed it enviously, their hearts burning. Although they knew the price would be high, they flocked to it, already prepared with spirit coins, waiting to make their bid.
"I don't want to cut this ore stone... whoever buys it can cut it themselves."
Su Luo swept her gaze across the crowd and said lightly, "I guarantee there's something inside, but I'm not sure what kind of gem it is. Whoever wants it, make your bid. Highest bidder wins."
As soon as she finished, someone immediately shouted, "I want this one, five million spirit coins!"
A nobleman, dressed impeccably, shoved a storage bag filled with spirit coins into Su Luo's hand. He arrogantly declared to everyone, "No one else should contend with me, or you'll be contending with me... "
Before he could finish, someone interrupted him. "Zhang Jianfei, what are you being so arrogant about? Don't think just because your Five Tiger Gang is powerful, you can be arrogant in Jade Void City. Compared to me, what are you? I bid six million!"
"Six million? You dare to bid so low? For such a large ore stone, I bid eight million."
"Eight and a half million!"
The bidding didn't stop once it started.
The last and largest ore stone ignited the fervent desire for wealth in everyone. Given the quality of the ore stones Su Luo had previously cut, everyone believed this final one would also exceed their wildest expectations.
Soon, the bids rose from the initial five million to thirteen million.
The price was too high, and the noble young masters and ladies competing gradually dwindled, leaving only three people still in contention.
"Fifteen million!"
A voice filled with dominance rang out, accompanied by the sound of drawing sabers, startling many.
A fair-skinned man, wearing a golden crown and with greased hair, walked out with several followers, fanning himself with a folding fan. Wherever he passed, people seemed to be pushed aside by an invisible force, automatically making way for him.
He looked at Su Luo, his eyes gleaming with smugness, and said with a frivolous laugh, "Little beauty, I'll use fifteen million to buy this ore stone from you. Does anyone want to compete with me?"
Upon hearing this, everyone's heart jolted.
"That's Sima Chang, the heir of the Marquis of Might. His reputation isn't good; he bullies people and loves women. Su girl, you need to be careful." Jiang Muxue's voice whispered in her ear. Su Luo finally understood why no one else dared to speak up when this person appeared.
So he was a dissolute lecher!
Jade Void City was filled with noble families and countless major and minor sects. There were more rich people than dogs. Throwing a random stone might hit a young master, a young lady, an heir, or a prince.
But as soon as Sima Chang appeared, everyone else fell silent, clearly unable to match him.
"Since no one is competing with me, this ore stone belongs to me." Sima Chang laughed heartily and, raising his folding fan, ordered, "Someone, cut it for me!"
"Wait, you haven't paid yet," Su Luo spoke, extending her hand towards him.
"Little beauty, what are you in a hurry for..."
As Sima Chang's lecherous gaze appeared, Su Luo coldly said, "If you have money, pay. If not, get lost. I don't have time to waste with you."
"How dare you speak to our heir like that?!"
"Ah, forget it."
Sima Chang's lackey was about to discipline Su Luo when he stopped him, saying with amused interest, "Little beauty has quite a temper; she's spicy, and I like it. Since the little beauty wants money, I'll give it."
He took out a bag from a jade storage ring on his hand and lewdly reached it towards Su Luo's chest.
Li Tianjue's eyes sharpened. He grabbed the bag, stood in front of Su Luo, and stared at Sima Chang coldly.
Sima Chang was startled by his gaze, his heart faltering, and he dared not speak rashly.
"Alright, I've paid the money. Can it be cut now?" Sima Chang awkwardly averted his gaze, his attention temporarily shifting to the ore stone. He tapped his folding fan in his hand and said with a grim expression, "Someone, cut it for me."
"Yes, Heir."
A follower quickly stepped forward, pulled out his weapon, and aimed it at the millstone-sized black ore stone to cut it.
*Crack!*
A spiritual light flashed, and the ore stone was split in half.
Everyone saw it and gasped, their eyes widening. "It actually..."
No one expected that this most anticipated ore stone would reveal a piece of dung-yellow.
In the center of the stone skin, large patches of brownish-yellow crystals were filled with small black particles, resembling the excrement of a certain animal. Although it was also a type of gem, called Chicken Yellow Stone, its quality was truly not commendable.
"It's actually Chicken Yellow Stone, hahahaha..."
Someone immediately burst into laughter. "Who would have thought to find a package of chicken poop? Your luck isn't just good, it's exceptional!"
Those who hadn't managed to grab this ore stone felt no regret or jealousy. They all burst into laughter. The jeers, mockery, and schadenfreude made Sima Chang's face turn from red to white, and then from white to green.
"Shut up! Whoever dares to laugh again, I'll cut off his tongue!"
Sima Chang, enraged and humiliated, turned and glared viciously at Su Luo, cursing, "You little brat, how dare you trick me? Return my money immediately, or you'll regret it."
Su Luo curled her lips, crossing her arms, and said, "I'm sorry! I said earlier that there were definitely gems in this ore stone, but I didn't guarantee what kind. Now that Chicken Yellow Stone has been cut, I was correct. Why should you want a refund?"
The onlookers who had been gloating burst into laughter. "That's right, it produced a gem, why refund the money!"
"Even though Chicken Yellow Stone isn't valuable, it's still a gem..."
Sima Chang let out an angry roar, "All of you, shut up! How dare you deceive me, you're tired of living! Attack! Kill the men, capture the women and bring them back, I want to deal with her slowly!"
Seeing his followers rush over, Su Luo nudged Li Tianjue's shoulder. "Guard Li, go!"