Chapter 133: Stone Gambling

Watching his father depart, Chu Youcai, despite knowing his father’s immense status and profound cultivation, could not help but feel a lingering sense of concern.

He returned home. At that moment, Yun Cuixian and the others were already waiting at the entrance with smiles on their faces.

Chu Youcai was taken aback. "Why are you all out here to welcome me?"

Yun Cuixian replied, "We just received many gifts from the various young masters of the Prince’s Manor, all as apologies to you. Once we inquired, we learned that you had taken first place in the Prince’s Manor trials."

Hearing this, Chu Youcai nodded and exchanged smiles with the women. His mood became exceptionally light; this place was his home, the very place he wished to protect.

After entering the house and resting briefly, Chu Youcai suddenly remembered something. He took the golden scripture from his robes and asked Wen Ji, "Wen Ji, do you recognize the characters on this golden scripture?"

He figured that given Wen Ji’s many years of cultivation and vast experience, she might be able to identify them.

The others turned their gazes toward it, brows furrowing. Wen Ji examined it carefully and repeatedly before saying hesitantly, "This appears to be a form of runic script."

Chu Youcai nodded. "I suspected as much."

Wen Ji explained, "Rune masters generally reside within the Rakshasa Sea Market, as the spiritual energy there is dense, making it suitable for their practice. Cultivating runic arts requires many rare treasures, which can only be traded within the Sea Market. However, ordinary people cannot enter the Rakshasa Sea Market unless they possess a Sea Market Copper Token, which grants one person entry for a single day."

Hearing this, Chu Youcai was stunned. He could not help but take out the Sea Dragon Token from his robes. "Take a look at this token."

The moment she saw the Sea Dragon Token, a look of shock appeared on Wen Ji’s face. "It is actually a Sea Dragon Token! This is the highest-level token of the Rakshasa Sea Market. Such tokens are nearly impossible to obtain! It is said that only the Holy Sea Dragon King of the Rakshasa Sea Market has the authority to bestow them. Master Chu, how did you come by this?"

Chu Youcai recounted his meeting with Fairy Nüyi at the Prince’s Manor.

Wen Ji nodded in understanding. "So that is it. Fairy Nüyi holds an extremely high status; as a Holy Maiden of Penglai Island, she naturally has the qualification to obtain such an item." She then added with excitement, "Possessing this allows you to bring six people in with you at once."

"With this token, you hold supreme status within the Rakshasa Sea Market. Whether you are leasing cursed artifacts or purchasing various treasures, this serves as the most authoritative collateral."

Chu Youcai was startled. He recalled the talk about leasing cursed artifacts and suddenly understood. Cursed artifacts were incredibly precious; leasing them to others would surely require collateral, and the more valuable the artifact, the higher the value of the collateral required.

His desire to visit the Rakshasa Sea Market grew even stronger.

However, Wen Ji noted, "The Rakshasa Sea Market has an entrance at the Huan Mountain Zen Monastery near Yanzhou, which opens every three days. It opened at noon today, so we will have to wait another three days."

Chu Youcai nodded. If that was the case, he would choose to go to the Rakshasa Sea Market in three days.

The women, now piqued by curiosity about the market, began asking Wen Ji what kind of trading occurred there.

Wen Ji said, "I have only heard others speak of it. It is said that whether it be gemstones or jade pendants, whatever you desire can be found there, along with all sorts of rare curiosities. There is even a technique known as 'stone gambling'."

"Stone gambling?" Chu Youcai’s heart stirred. "Does that mean one can extract beautiful jade from within the stones?"

Wen Ji nodded. "Exactly. These strangely shaped stones hide various jades and jewels, and sometimes even immortal herbs are condensed within them. Yet, from the outside, one cannot tell at all. Distinguishing them requires an extremely sharp eye, but the items of value produced from these stones are truly rare. Even those who gamble on stones every day fail nine times out of ten."

Chu Youcai’s heart raced; it was remarkably similar to the modern world. He suddenly remembered the thick film over the eyes of the sixth young master, Yan Yudong. If he wasn't mistaken, what was hidden in Yan Yudong's eyes was a miraculous creature known as a "Pupil Dweller." These creatures possessed special abilities, feared darkness, and thrived in the presence of pearl orchids.

If he could obtain such a Pupil Dweller, it might prove immensely useful in identifying stones.

In the Rakshasa Sea Market, with enough silver, one could purchase rare treasures and heavenly immortal herbs, and all things would be within reach. Compared to Chu Yuwei, he was far behind in cultivation, and to bridge that gap quickly, he needed to supplement it with material resources.

Thinking of this, Chu Youcai looked forward to seeing if he could capture the Pupil Dweller after Yan Yudong had rested for three days. Once he had the creature, entering the Rakshasa Sea Market might yield great rewards in stone identification.

After their excitement subsided, the women returned to their cultivation. Although Chu Youcai had taken first place at the Prince’s Manor and earned the right to participate in the Holy Trial of the Nine Provinces of Yanyun, the gap between him and Chu Yuwei remained vast. If they wanted to help him, they could not afford to slacken.

Chu Youcai began to restore the Daoist arts within his body as quickly as possible. At the Prince’s Manor, he had expended ten years of demonic power to wield a cursed artifact, and now he was empty. At his natural rate of recovery, it would take ten days to restore those ten years of power.

He consumed a specially prepared medicinal decoction. It carried the aura of the Luoshu Demon-Linchpin Pill, doubling its effectiveness. After taking just one dose, he found his recovery speed had quadrupled! He was overjoyed.

However, when he tried a second dose, he found the effects did not stack. He chuckled at his own greed; if the effects were cumulative, he could have just downed ten doses and matched the power of a heavenly immortal herb. He sat in meditation, letting his body return to its peak state.

The night passed without incident.

The next day, Chu Youcai woke to find that nearly half of his demonic power had been restored. He tested his connection to the Illusion Gold Bell’s mist realm and discovered that as long as he carried the golden scripture, he could use the bell with ease. Without the scripture, merely holding the bell made him feel as if his head would explode. He understood the importance of the golden scripture all the more.

By the end of the day, his body had recovered nearly four years' worth of demonic power. Meanwhile, the women had also made significant progress in their physical conditioning.

Thus, the third night arrived.

As the sky grew dim, Chu Youcai was preoccupied with his plan for the following day: visiting the residence of the sixth young master, Yan Yudong, to retrieve the Pupil Dweller. Suddenly, Ju Xue burst in, bubbling with excitement. "Great news! Great news!"

Chu Youcai was startled. "What great news?"

Ju Xue’s face was flushed with excitement. "Word has just arrived: the night before last, Prince Chu broke into the Imperial Palace alone. Before the Holy Emperor, he beat Yan Nantian of the Yan Sect into a state of severe injury and shattered his cursed artifact immortal sword. Yan Nantian has already fled back to the Yan Sect."

Chu Youcai was shocked.

Ju Xue took a deep breath and continued, "Prince Chu unleashed a cursed artifact three times. Each strike left Yan Nantian in agony, bleeding profusely. The first strike, Prince Chu said, was to strike down the evil of the world and restore justice; the second strike, he said, was for himself, to settle the grievances he has held against Yan Nantian for years; and the third strike was for you, Young Master! He said it was to clear your name and vent your grievances!"

Upon hearing this, Chu Youcai stood completely still, stunned. Then, he gazed toward the east, his eyes filled with warmth.

Was this what family was?

This bond of family—he would protect it with all his might.

No matter how large or powerful the Yan Sect might be, what did it matter? With this love, he would push forward, never to retreat again!