Chapter 380

Chapter 380: Betting on Jade

"Have you made your choice?"

The elder teaching remained expressionless, his gaze towards Wang Chen utterly indifferent.

"Yes."

Wang Chen promptly reported the names of the spells he had chosen: “Fire Crow Technique and Metal Finger Technique.”

The Fire Crow Technique was an advanced version of the Fire Crow Technique, and the Metal Finger Technique was an advanced form of the Metal Finger Technique. Wang Chen’s approach to practicing techniques and spells was always balanced and steady, never venturing into extremes.

Since his primary cultivation was the Preheaven Five Element Technique, which emphasized the balance of the five elements, it was only natural that his spells aligned with this principle.

Though his skills might not be extraordinary, they were reliable and consistent, allowing him to progress steadily.

The elder teaching’s eyes flickered, and he suddenly pointed at Wang Chen’s forehead.

Instantly, two clusters of spiritual light appeared in Wang Chen’s Sea of Consciousness—these were the method seeds for the Fire Crow Technique and Metal Finger Technique!

“Thank you, Elder.”

Wang Chen bowed respectfully in gratitude and then left the library.

After exiting the Transmission Department, Wang Chen was about to head home to meditate on his newly acquired spells when a streak of light suddenly appeared before him.

Wang Chen immediately recognized it as Zuo Xiaomo’s flying sword for sending messages.

After reading the message attached to the sword, he quickly summoned his Yaoguang flying sword and sped toward the mountain gate entrance.

Although West Sea City was far from the mountain gate, Wang Chen didn’t want to waste his precious contribution points on teleportation.

He had already exhausted the free benefits from his newcomer gift pack, and if he wished to learn new techniques, he would need to exchange contribution points. He had just checked in the library that spells at the Purple Palace level often cost hundreds of contribution points.

Higher-level spells could cost thousands.

Every contribution point saved was valuable.

Fortunately, the Yaoguang flying sword was swift, and with its speed, he reached his destination without much delay.

“Brother, you’re finally here!”

At the entrance to the celestial market in Wailing City, Wang Chen met Zuo Xiaomo, who eagerly pulled him inside. “If you’re late, all the good treasures will be gone!”

Wang Chen asked curiously, “What’s this about?”

Zuo Xiaomo’s message from the flying sword had only instructed him to hurry to the celestial market without explaining the details.

“I just got word that there’s someone selling ancient sealed jade in the market—quite a lot of it.”

Zuo Xiaomo explained, “We can’t miss such a great opportunity!”

“Ancient sealed jade?”

Wang Chen was even more puzzled—he had never heard of such a thing.

Zuo Xiaomo took the time to explain.

The so-called ancient sealed jade referred to spiritual jade used by ancient immortal sects, families, or loose cultivators to store items. It was similar to storage talismans but could only be used once.

However, the storage duration of sealed jade was far longer than that of storage talismans.

Some ancient sealed jades had endured for thousands or even tens of thousands of years and could still yield intact items when opened.

The ancient sealed jade mostly originates from ruins, caves, and secret storehouses, often bearing a long history. The items sealed within may not hold much value in spirit stones today and could even be damaged.

For instance, elixirs inevitably lose their potency over time, turning into mere dregs when opened.

In the past, cultivators who discovered ancient sealed jade would break the seals on the spot to inspect the contents.

The outcomes were often disappointing.

Later, some clever individuals began to sell multiple pieces of ancient sealed jade at set prices.

If valuable items were revealed, the buyers profited; if worthless items emerged, the buyers counted themselves unfortunate, while the sellers always secured a profit.

Once Zuo Xiaomo explained, Wang Chen immediately grasped the concept.

This was essentially gambling on jade!

Or, it could be likened to opening blind boxes, with the sellers themselves unaware of the contents.

This made it worth taking a chance.

"I know a senior brother…"

Zuo Xiaomo said with envy, "Last year, he spent five hundred spirit stones on a piece of ancient sealed jade here and ended up with a high-quality spirit tool. He made a fortune!"

Spending five hundred spirit stones to obtain a high-quality spirit tool was indeed a significant win.

Wang Chen smiled and said, "Don’t just focus on the wins; there are more instances of people losing everything, right?"

As the saying goes, nine out of ten bets lose. If the potential gains were so substantial, why wouldn’t the sellers open the jade themselves?

It’s simple logic!

Zuo Xiaomo chuckled, "Of course! We’re just here for some fun today, trying our luck."

Wang Chen had no interest in gambling, but since Zuo Xiaomo was so enthusiastic and had dragged him along, he didn’t want to spoil the mood. They arrived at the stall selling sealed jade.

"Two thousand spirit stones!"

"I bid two thousand two hundred!"

"Two thousand five hundred!"

To Wang Chen’s surprise, the stall was doing a brisk business, tightly surrounded by people.

Many cultivators were bidding, creating a lively and intense atmosphere!

Wang Chen inquired and learned that ancient sealed jade had different grades and qualities. The sellers set a base price according to each grade, allowing buyers to bid freely, with the highest bidder winning.

"Make way, make way!"

As soon as Zuo Xiaomo arrived, he began to push through the crowd with Wang Chen in tow.

Those pushed aside glared angrily, some nearly cursing aloud.

However, upon seeing the white jade plaque hanging at Wang Chen’s waist, they immediately fell silent and made way.

Zuo Xiaomo swaggered ahead like a crab, squeezing to the front of the stall.

Wang Chen felt both amused and embarrassed.

So, this guy had brought him along just to use him as a tool to clear a path!

One couldn’t deny the prestige of being an inner sect disciple of the West Sea Sect.

It was indeed useful.

The seller’s stall was modest; a long sandalwood table was draped with brocade, on which lay a half-foot-long jade strip.

The jade strip had a very ancient design and color, inscribed with true seal characters.

Was this the blind box ancient sealed jade?

Wang Chen focused his magical power and whispered to Zuo Xiaomo, “This isn’t fake, is it?”

In his past life, he knew there were many tricks in betting on jade, and methods of forgery were endless—even experts could sometimes be fooled.

Could this so-called ancient sealed jade be free of counterfeits?

"There are fakes," Zuo Xiaomo replied, "but no one dares to sell fake items at the Wailing celestial market!"

The Wailing celestial market is governed by the outer sect of the West Sea Sect. While street vendor goods can have varying authenticity, ancient sealed jade must be genuine; otherwise, the seller could face severe consequences, even losing their life!

While the two were "privately discussing," a piece of ancient sealed jade was already sold.

A cultivator outbid all others with a price of four thousand seven hundred spirit stones, taking the jade strip.

But he did not open the jade on the spot; instead, he tucked it into his robe and left—ancient sealed jade has storage capabilities, making it impossible to place in a storage bag.

Then the stallholder presented a new sealed jade, inviting everyone to bid again.

The starting price was one hundred spirit stones.

This time, Zuo Xiaomo also joined the competition but withdrew when he reached five thousand spirit stones.

This piece of sealed jade was of better quality, and the final transaction price soared to eight thousand spirit stones.

The buyer decided to open the jade right there.

As a result, a large pile of spirit stones emerged—all Intermediate Spirits!

A successful gamble!

And it was quite a lot, which made the buyer beam with joy, intensifying the lively atmosphere even more.

Seizing the opportunity, the seller presented new ancient sealed jade for sale once again.