Chapter 334: Nine-Orifice Stone Man
The bamboo grove was emerald green, spirit springs surged, serene and tranquil.
A stone platform stood tall, facing the sun, gathering the essence of sunlight. Ye Fan stood upon it, observing the stone man against the sunlight. His expression was focused as he slowly turned the strange stone, serious and meticulous.
Suddenly, his expression shifted. When the stone man’s right eye was struck by sunlight, he seemed to see a wisp of solar essence flash and vanish. Was this… an illusion? He couldn’t be sure, as staring at the sun for so long made him suspect his eyes had been dazzled.
Ye Fan remained motionless, holding the Nine-Orifice Stone Man directly toward the sun, his concentration at its peak as he observed carefully.
By now, anyone could tell that this clear-eyed youth was a master of Source Art. His methods were meticulous, some never even heard of before.
“Could he be a youth from a Source Art Aristocratic Clan? His techniques are unique, unseen before.”
“A true Source Art master relies half on luck and half on skill when selecting stones—a fifty-fifty split. This youth likely has a significant background.”
“Last time, a few people from a Source Art Aristocratic Clan came and examined the Nine-Orifice Stone Man. Their methods were completely different from his, so they’re probably not from the same lineage.”
Nearby, a group of elderly onlookers murmured softly, their eyes growing more fervent. If this youth was a Source Art genius, he was undoubtedly worth courting.
Outside the Heaven-grade Stone Garden, though many people had gathered, it was very quiet. Ever since Ye Fan began to handle the Nine-Orifice Stone Man, no one spoke; everyone watched in silence.
White-robed and ethereal, Jiang Yifei was waiting, showing a look of concern. Even his long boots were white, spotless, exuding peerless elegance and refinement.
An Miaoyi’s black hair danced lightly, her divine beauty concealed within, her eyes shimmering as she also observed Ye Fan. Her flawless jade-like body was like a flower tree piled with snow, stirring hearts.
Ye Fan stood still for a full half-hour without detecting any further anomaly. The stone man’s right eye was dry, with no solar essence entering or leaving, no lively aura.
Suddenly, Ye Fan moved. His right hand shimmered with specks of light, multicolored and brilliant, giving a dreamlike feel.
This was not a cultivator’s technique; it was the profound Source Art, gathering the essence of plants and trees, absorbing the finest of sunlight, drawing the primal energy of heaven and earth, all converging together.
Ye Fan’s right hand brushed lightly, channeling the multicolored light into the nine orifices. His eyes sparkled with tiny star-like glints as he stared unblinkingly at the stone man.
“He truly is a Source Art master. Strange arts, profound methods—never seen before.”
“Can this Source Art detect rare treasures within the stone?”
…
Nearby, the elders all showed surprise, their hearts filled with anticipation, eager to see what other wondrous techniques he possessed.
Ye Fan emitted no divine power fluctuations; he was purely displaying Source Art. This was the first time he had been so solemn, because the Nine-Orifice Stone Man was truly too special.
After a long time, channeling the multicolored light into the nine orifices produced no change. The strange stone remained ancient and natural, unchanged.
Ye Fan furrowed his brow and lightly jumped down from the stone platform, no longer observing against the sunlight. These methods were useless.
Li Heishui transmitted a message, saying, “Can’t see through it? Then don’t touch it. I just heard someone say this stone has been here for years. Even those who were optimistic gave up at the last moment.”
Purple-robed Yao Yuekong also spoke up to remind him, “Little brother, if you’re not sure, don’t move it. Many Source Art masters have examined it and ultimately left.”
Ye Fan was very calm. “Let me take another look.”
He placed the Nine-Orifice Stone Man on the fragrant grass, carefully measured the stone man’s body, and then began to move quickly, continuously pointing his fingers downward.
Clearly visible, one after another, inch-long golden beams sank into specific positions, like grains of gold falling.
“Gold-Touching Stone Hand!” the white-haired Source Master exclaimed, standing out in the crowd.
“What? Is it really the famous and extraordinary Gold-Touching Stone Hand of Source Art? Even experts from Source Art Aristocratic Clans might not be able to perform it!” some elders exclaimed in shock.
“Really? This youth is performing the Gold-Touching Stone Hand? This… unbelievable. He really is a Source Art genius!”
Around them, a group of senior figures showed astonishment. They had heard of this Source Art but had almost never seen it performed.
Outside the Heaven-grade Stone Garden, Wu Ziming and Li Chongtian looked at each other, their faces full of gloom, feeling as bitter as if they had bitten into a yellow lotus.
The Great Xia Prince, while surprised, paid even more attention, standing at the very front, almost pressing against the Nine-Orifice Stone Man.
Purple-robed Yao Yuekong also bent down to observe closely. He felt that Ye Fan’s Source Art was even more extraordinary than he had imagined. If he could build a good relationship, it would greatly benefit the Heavenly Demon Treasure Pavilion in the future.
A full one hundred and eight inch-long golden beams were struck into the stone man by Ye Fan. This was not divine power, so there was no fear of cracking the stone.
The Source Master in the crowd exclaimed repeatedly, “He completed the sequence! It’s the complete Gold-Touching Stone Hand!”
Ye Fan was very focused, unaffected by the onlookers. He began to strike the stone rhythmically, listening carefully with both ears, until he finally stopped after a long time.
“How is it?” Li Heishui asked nervously. Being watched by so many people and spending a fortune to select this stone—no one could stay calm.
“Still can’t be certain. But I’ll choose it. Buy it!” When Ye Fan uttered the words “buy it,” the stone garden finally lost its calm, erupting into a clamor as everyone began to discuss.
The Nine-Orifice Stone Man was a priceless strange stone. It had been placed here for many years, and no one had dared to touch it. It had almost become the garden’s treasure of the Dao Yi Stone Workshop.
Today, someone was finally going to cut this stone. Everyone was eager to see what had been gestating inside the stone man.
“Today’s trip is truly worthwhile. We’ll finally fulfill our long-held wish!” some elders sighed repeatedly.
“A hero emerges from youth, full of drive. Many have seen this stone, even people from Source Art Aristocratic Clans have come, but in the end, no one bought it.”
Inside and outside the stone garden, it was noisy and chaotic, with everyone discussing their own opinions.
Wu Ziming sneered, “I think he’s in for bad luck. After so many experts carefully studied it, none of them favored this stone. And he dares to buy it? Heh!”
Li Chongtian also mocked, “Soon we’ll see him fall flat on his face. Let’s see how he handles it!”
Inside the stone garden, Li Heishui frowned. “You can’t see through this stone. You’re not even sure. Why buy it?”
“What is stone gambling? The word ‘gamble’ comes before ‘stone.’ When Source Art can do no more, you have to take a bold risk.”
Ye Fan had thoroughly studied the Source Heaven Scroll. His Source Art had not yet reached perfection and couldn’t compare to a Source Heaven Master. Indeed, he couldn’t see through this stone, but he faintly sensed an anomaly.
He felt it was definitely not an ordinary stone, but he didn’t know if it would yield a peerless treasure. He didn’t want to miss the chance, because a few people from a Source Art Aristocratic Clan had come recently, and he feared attracting even more formidable figures.
“Good, good, good!” The Source Master was the most excited, his body trembling. He had guarded this garden for decades. He was not a cultivator and had hoped in his lifetime to see someone cut open the stone man and reveal its secrets.
Even the usually calm old Daoist nun showed a hint of surprise, no longer so indifferent.
The young Daoist nun from the Dao Yi Holy Land also appeared nearby, clearly wanting to see as well.
When Ye Fan held the cutting knife, all sounds vanished. The vast stone garden fell into silence, leaving only eager gazes.
The entire stone garden was quiet enough to hear a leaf fall. Ye Fan began to cut the stone, cautious and careful, with small movements, steady and precise.
“Crack!”
When the first sound rang out, everyone shuddered. This sound signaled that the Dao Yi Stone Workshop’s garden treasure was finally being opened!
Stone chips flew. Ye Fan focused on wielding the knife. He did not hold back, moving quickly. In no time, he had peeled away the stone man’s arms.
The result: nothing but a pile of stone powder, not even a piece of ordinary Source. It could be seen that the stone man’s interior was very ordinary—white and barren, not the kind of stone that gestates rare treasures.
“Bad!” Li Heishui knew things were very grim.
“Indeed. No wonder those Source Art masters ultimately shook their heads and gave up. This Nine-Orifice Stone Man looks special, but its interior is white stone. It definitely can’t produce Source!”
Some elders were very disappointed. They had looked forward to this stone for years, and now that someone had finally cut it open, it turned out to be so ordinary, with nothing remarkable.
Some even suspected that the Dao Yi Holy Land had set a trap, deliberately trying to trick those with deep Source Art skills.
“Good thing I held back my urge back then and didn’t buy this stone.”
Ye Fan ignored these voices and continued wielding the cutting knife. Before long, he had also peeled off the stone man’s legs, still white.
“Sigh. For so many years, this stone has haunted me. I never expected it to be like this.”
“If there were a peerless treasure, the phenomenon of a stone-born immortal would have appeared by now. There’s not even a ripple. Disappointing.”
The elders all shook their heads.
No one was more nervous than Li Heishui. This was a priceless stone. If nothing came out, the divine medicine he had previously obtained would have to be used to fill the hole.
Ye Fan said nothing and continued cutting. He opened the stone man’s abdomen, still white, then split its head. Finally, he brought the knife to the chest area. Stone chips flew, but still nothing.
Li Heishui’s cold sweat dripped down. Full of hope, now he was utterly disappointed.
At this point, only a fist-sized piece of stone remained uncut, located at the heart area. Additionally, the forehead bone of the head had not been touched.
Now, the stone garden outside was no longer calm. No one favored the Nine-Orifice Stone Man. After cutting this far, everything was white. Such stone could hardly gestate rare treasures.
“Haha…” Wu Ziming laughed loudly. “Overestimating yourself! After so many years, all the experts shook their heads and left. No one chose it. Did you really think you were a Source Art master?!”
Li Chongtian also gloated, mocking, “There are always those who don’t know their limits, thinking they can command the world, only to fall flat on their faces. In the end, they’re nothing!”
“Haha…”
Their group all laughed loudly. The stone garden outside was in an uproar.
Some mocked, some jeered, some sympathized—all kinds of expressions appeared, a panorama of human life.
Now, no one remained quiet. It was all noise. No one favored the Nine-Orifice Stone Man anymore.
“Heh…” A deep, meaningful cold laugh sounded not far away. Li Yishui, the Supreme Elder of the Illusionary Palace, also appeared.
At this moment, even Yao Yuekong and the Great Xia Prince were disappointed, standing silently aside, wondering if they had misjudged Ye Fan.
In the distance, Jiang Yifei also slightly furrowed his brow, no longer paying as much attention.
An Miaoyi also shook her head slightly, her beautiful, flawless face growing indifferent.
A group of elders stood beside Ye Fan, watching silently, saying nothing more.
The divinely beautiful young Daoist nun stood to the side, still very calm, showing no reaction.
“Damn it, this is infuriating!” Li Heishui was very frustrated, glaring fiercely at Wu Ziming and Li Chongtian in the distance.
At this moment, only the White-Robed Little Nun was still crouched on the ground, chin in hand, innocent and curious, staring at the fist-sized piece of stone, blinking her big eyes and asking, “Why don’t you cut anymore?”
Ye Fan, unruffled, stood up and shouted loudly to the surroundings, “Does anyone want to gamble with me?”