Chapter 201: Primeval Rare Treasures
The ninth courtyard gave Ye Fan a strange feeling. These stones made him uneasy.
"Is this the aura of the Primordial Ancient Mine?" The thought arose in his mind.
The *Source Heaven Scroll* was a remarkable book, containing methods for communion between heaven and man. Ye Fan had only begun to dabble in this supreme Source Art, grasping but a fraction of its surface.
He felt as though he could sense the aura of the Primordial Ancient Mine—a condensed, unyielding, introverted, and peculiar presence that should originate from that demonic land.
In the Northern Domain, the most terrifying place was that ancient, eternal mine. No one knew when or in which era it first appeared.
"This is the one!" Liu Cheng'en had already made his selection, patting the Source Stone.
That piece of stone was about the size of a human head, weighing over ten jin. It resembled a reclining ox, exuding a heavy, condensed aura.
"This stone is sure to yield Source. It's just a matter of how much," the Source Master nodded.
"Have you chosen?" Liu Cheng'en glanced at Ye Fan.
"Wait a bit longer." Ye Fan was uncertain. The contamination from the demonic land's aura made it difficult for him to judge the Source Stones. He felt a constant haze, struggling to grasp the truth.
"What exactly is in that strange place, that even the stones are tainted?" Ye Fan eliminated twenty counterfeit Source Stones and began selecting from the remaining thirty-eight.
"There are too few stones in this courtyard," Er Lengzi complained in a low voice.
"These stones were excavated from the edge of the Primordial Ancient Mine. It's already impressive that a few dozen were transported here. Most were sent to the Holy City. How many people in Pingyan City dare to gamble on such things?"
"The Holy City is different. Great Powers from the Eastern Wasteland, imperial clans from the Central Province, and magnates from the Northern Domain frequent it year-round. Even 'ancient materials' brought out from the Primordial Ancient Mine have people daring to bet on them."
"The main issue is that these stones are too expensive. No one can afford them," someone sighed.
The Source Master of Rongxiang's Stone Gambling Workshop shook his head. "This is already considered cheap. The Source Stones shipped to the Holy City are priced astronomically. Most stones cost more than pure Source."
"No way. Who would be such a fool?"
"You wouldn't understand. At that level, they're no longer gambling on pure Source but on the far more valuable things hidden within the Source."
Someone nearby nodded in agreement. "Source Stones hold too many secrets. Source itself isn't the most precious thing. Within these seemingly unremarkable stones, peerless treasures might be gestating."
Ye Fan finally selected his stone. It was a cyan-colored block with light yellow veins running across it. The piece wasn't very large, weighing about a dozen jin.
Everyone was utterly speechless, feeling that his stone selection was completely off the mark.
"I say, little brother, you really do like taking unconventional paths. You dare to choose a stone like that? That's the famous 'Watermelon Stone.'"
"That's right, it's the 'Watermelon Stone.' What? Can't you talk?" The old man was so angry his beard bristled.
Wang Xiu was caught between laughter and tears. He tugged at Er Lengzi's sleeve, then stepped forward to apologize. "Elder, please don't take it to heart. My brother here speaks too bluntly without thinking. There's no need to argue with him."
"According to ancient records from Beiyu, over a hundred thousand years ago, during the Desolate Valley era, a peerless beauty was indeed unearthed. She emerged from a Divine Source," one of the old men spoke again. "Unfortunately, all the Holy Lands chased and intercepted her, but she still escaped."
"Really?" Er Lengzi craned his long neck, leaning in to ask the old men. "How big was that Source? Was that woman a demon or a deity?"
Not far away, Ye Fan's heart stirred as he listened intently.
"Go away! We can't be bothered with you!" One of the old men was quite displeased with Er Lengzi.
"Source contains heavenly secrets. Why do you think the imperial clans of the Central Province always have peerless experts stationed in the Holy City, spending fortunes to acquire Source Stones? There's a reason."
"I've heard that too. It's said that an ancestor of a certain family obtained a heavenly book from Source, allowing them to rise unstoppably."
Ye Fan's heart trembled. This was truly astonishing.
Er Lengzi and Wang Xiu exchanged glances, feeling as if they were listening to a tale of gods and demons.
"I say, old man, is this reliable? Can a book really be inside Source?" Er Lengzi scratched his head.
"You little brat, why do you have to speak so harshly? Go somewhere cool and stay there!" The few old men scowled and walked away, ignoring him.
Ye Fan's heart couldn't calm down. Source Stones contained too many mysteries—far more complex and enigmatic than he had imagined.
He was grateful to have obtained the *Source Heaven Scroll*. With this extraordinary scripture in hand, he could one day roam the world and uncover everything.
It seemed that the stones buried underground held not only Source but also many other rare and strange things.
Beneath this vast, boundless red earth lay countless secrets, waiting to be explored!