Demon Fetus, Qilin Immortal Medicine Seed

Fang Yang remained unaffected by the outside world, continuing to hold his breath and focus as he cut into the final piece of stone.

Having practiced on the previous five stones, his movements were now as fluid as flowing water, a sight to behold that carried the distinct air of a Source Technique master.

Soon, the head-sized stone was sliced open, but to everyone's disappointment, it was completely empty inside—not even a single strand of red hair was to be found.

"Fellow Daoist must be new to stone gambling. Hitting two out of six is already quite impressive. That fellow Tuoba Sheng claimed to be from a family of Source Technique experts, yet he ran off with his tail between his legs long ago."

Jiang Yixuan, a direct descendant of the Jiang Family, had originally harbored hostility toward Fang Yang, but in the face of the Human Origin Fruit, he had to go against his own heart and attempt to build a rapport.

His great-grandfather's time was running out; if he could present this Human Origin Fruit, it would be a massive stroke of fortune for him, guaranteed to secure him a greater share of resources.

"Who is Tuoba Sheng?"

Fang Yang frowned, not understanding what the other man meant.

Jiang Yixuan was left speechless.

He had not expected that while Tuoba Sheng had racked his brains trying to step on Fang Yang to save face in front of Yao Xi, he hadn't even been worth a glance in Fang Yang's eyes.

"I am willing to pledge in the name of the Jiang Family: as long as Fellow Daoist Fang hands the Human Origin Fruit to me, I will return one hundred thousand catties of Pure Source within a year... no, half a year!"

"Furthermore, consider it a favor owed to you!"

Jiang Yixuan stopped mentioning Tuoba Sheng, turning instead to make his promise with a serious expression.

The reason for the six-month timeframe was that in a little over five months, his great-grandfather would be celebrating his three-thousandth birthday, the perfect occasion to present the Human Origin Fruit as a display of filial piety.

When his great-grandfather saw the fruit, he would surely be overjoyed and would certainly cover the one hundred thousand catties of Source for him; as for other benefits, they went without saying.

"I refuse."

Fang Yang said coldly.

He could not fathom how this member of the Jiang Family could be so thick-skinned as to suggest paying back one hundred thousand catties of Source half a year later.

Besides, only a fool would think a favor from such an idiot was worth anything.

"Why?"

Jiang Yixuan asked anxiously, chasing after him.

He felt he had been very sincere; one hundred thousand catties of Source was not a small sum, and a favor from him was not insignificant either.

If Fang Yang were just a little more patient and waited for him to become a Great Power, the Human Origin Fruit would definitely prove to be worth far more than its current value.

"You are too confident."

Fang Yang dropped this single sentence, picked up the Human Origin Fruit and the Pure Yang Source, and walked toward the entrance of the stone workshop.

Yao Xi also cast a look of disdain before turning to leave.

Jiang Yixuan's face flushed red, clearly enraged to the extreme.

At the entrance of the stone workshop.

"Elder, may I take this stone away directly instead of cutting it here?"

Weiwei asked the old man guarding the gate.

Almost every stone workshop in the Holy City had a rule requiring stones to be cut on the spot, or else they would not be sold.

It was said that this rule originated from a certain generation of Source Heaven Master who had once looted the Heaven-Grade Stone Garden of most of the stone workshops in the Holy City in one go, resulting in a period where no one could cut anything of value in the stone gardens.

After learning their lesson, the various stone workshops established the on-site cutting rule to observe the techniques used and, perhaps, for other darker, ulterior motives.

"There aren't so many rules here."

The old man shook his head, signaling that Weiwei could take the stone in her hands without needing to cut it there.

"Many thanks, Elder."

After paying one catty of Pure Source, Weiwei hurried to catch up with Fang Yang and Yao Xi, a look of triumph on her face.

"There is definitely something good inside this stone."

"Junior Brother, you'll help me cut it later."

She commanded without a hint of politeness.

"If there's something inside, give me half."

Fang Yang glanced at the stone in her hands, and finding he couldn't quite see through it, he made a greedy demand.

"Impossible!"

"Then forty percent?"

"No."

"Then thirty percent."

"Fine..."

Fang Yang walked away quickly, but the stir he left behind did not cease.

Involving a life-extending medicinal treasure like the Human Origin Fruit, the day's events soon spread throughout the entire Holy City, with all sorts of versions circulating.

Some say Tuoba Sheng and Fang Yang agreed to a stone-betting duel to vie for the heart of the Yaochi Saintess.

Some say Fang Yang was arrogant and overbearing, declaring after winning the bet that the Tuoba Clan was a hollow name, filled with nothing but rabble.

Some say that after losing the stone-betting duel, Tuoba Sheng vomited three liters of blood and nearly died from excessive blood loss.

The most authentic version, buried amidst these fabricated rumors fueled by others, was ironically the one no one believed to be true.

Yaoguang Stone Workshop.

Fang Yang had naturally heard these rumors and understood that someone was stirring the pot; it was highly likely the work of Jiang Yixuan, whom he had rejected that day, though the possibility of others muddying the waters could not be ruled out.

However, none of this mattered.

As a Candidate Holy Son of Yaoguang, he naturally feared no such gossip.

The most pressing matter at hand was how to handle the Human Origin Fruit in his possession.

"Many elders in the Holy Land have approached me, wanting you to sell that Human Origin Fruit. The highest bid is 130,000 catties of Origin, and they also promise to perform a favor for you."

Yao Xi handed over a compiled list, showing just how sought-after he was now, with countless people eyeing the Human Origin Fruit in his hands.

Fang Yang looked at the list Yao Xi had prepared and paused on one name.

Li Cheng, a Xian-One cultivator.

On this list, his status was not the highest, nor was the price he offered the greatest.

But he held one specific position.

Manager of the Yaoguang Stone Workshop.

"Him."

Fang Yang's gaze was deep.

What he intended to do next was neither big nor small, and he reckoned that Li Cheng, a Xian-One cultivator with little lifespan left, would be willing to do him this favor.

Yaoguang Stone Workshop, Heaven-Grade Stone Garden.

Li Cheng had crane-like hair and withered skin, looking incredibly aged; the smile he pulled onto his face was enough to scare a three-year-old child.

He and Fang Yang stood before the "Demon Fetus," conducting a clandestine transaction.

"If you want the Demon Fetus, nephew, just take it. This stone material is worth 120,000 catties of Origin; I will cover the difference for you."

"As for not cutting the stone within the stone garden, for our own people, it is just a small matter. Even if it becomes known, it won't cause much trouble."

"If any problems arise, I will take the blame!"

Li Cheng patted his chest, taking full responsibility.

"Then many thanks, Uncle."

Fang Yang said politely.

He took the opportunity to hand the Human Origin Fruit to the other party.

"Hahaha..."

"Don't be so formal, nephew. Take this Demon Fetus away now."

Li Cheng stroked the Human Origin Fruit in a nauseating manner, emitting an aged and strange laugh that sent chills down one's spine.

Fang Yang had no intention of being modest with him; he carefully examined the Demon Fetus before storing it inside the Mysterious Yellow Cauldron.

Qilin Immortal Medicine seed.

Acquired!

With this Immortal Medicine seed, plus the Divine Spring he had brought out from the Desolate Forbidden Zone, and the Heaven-Reaching Creation Dew he had just drawn.

It should be enough to support the Immortal Medicine seed in taking root, sprouting, and bearing fruit, right?

Fang Yang had never planted an Immortal Medicine before and could only rely on future experiments to see if his hypothesis was accurate.

Tuoba Clan.

"Chang'er, go and defeat that Fang Yang!"

The Tuoba Clan Head had just emerged from seclusion, and upon learning of the rumors in the Holy City, he immediately summoned his most prized son to give the order.