The Purple Bane Token in Fang Yuan's hand radiated shimmering light, shifting between brightness and obscurity, dreamy and illusory.
The shop assistant stared fixedly at the token, his expression dazed.
After a long moment, he suddenly snapped out of it and said in an extremely respectful voice: "Honored guest, forgive this lowly one for having eyes but failing to recognize you! Please wait a moment, I'll go call the manager."
The manager, a middle-aged fat man, upon hearing of the appearance of the Purple Bane Token, immediately came running eagerly.
When he saw Fang Yuan, he bowed deeply: "Honored guest, your arrival truly makes our humble establishment shine with splendor!"
Fang Yuan said in a nonchalant tone, pointing at the stones he had carefully selected: "I've gambled on some small stones. I'll trouble you to cut them."
The manager quickly looked and was slightly taken aback – why were they all low-grade rough stones?
He couldn't help but quickly glance at the assistant, his gaze seemingly reproachful: "People who possess the Purple Bane Token are big shots, important customers – how could you let him choose these Gu?"
The assistant stood by fidgeting uneasily, unable to speak.
The manager bowed his head to Fang Yuan: "Honored guest, there's no problem with cutting the stones. Owners of the Purple Bane Token can get stones cut for free at any stone-gambling establishment. As for these stones, they are discounted… only six hundred and fifty primeval stones."
"I know the rules of the gambling house: pay first, then cut." Fang Yuan nodded and took out the corresponding number of primeval stones from his Primeval Elder Gu.
The manager nimbly accepted the stones and immediately turned to the assistant: "Hurry, go invite Master Duan, Master Huang, Master Zhang, Master Zhao, and Master Ma."
Then he turned to Fang Yuan: "Honored guest, the cutting platform is inside. Please follow me."
The five old master stone-cutters were resting in the small courtyard behind the gambling house. Having reached their level, they would not bother with ordinary rough stones anymore. Some younger Gu Masters, mostly their apprentices, were responsible for regular cutting at the front counter.
The assistant ran all the way to the small courtyard to explain the matter.
"Oh? Inviting all four of us old-timers to go out together?" The five masters' eyes lit up.
"Could it be that someone bought those few premium rough stones?" The masters felt their hands itch.
The assistant shook his head: "They're just low-grade rough stones."
The masters' expressions immediately changed, displeasure showing on their faces.
Master Duan snorted.
Being asked to cut low-grade rough stones was an insult, a belittlement of their status.
But the assistant then added: "The visitor is an extremely honored guest, possessing the Purple Bane Token. The manager sent me specially to invite you all!"
"What? The Purple Bane Token?"
"Are you sure you didn't mistake it?"
"The Merchant Alliance, in thousands of years, has only issued a few hundred Purple Bane Tokens. And now a possessor has appeared?"
"Hurry, hurry, hurry! What are you standing there for?"
The five masters hastily rushed out of the small courtyard and went to the workbench.
At the workbench, the young stone-cutters were startled and quickly bowed to greet them.
The masters waved their hands, shooing the younger generation off the platform.
These movements quickly drew attention. Many gazes turned toward them.
People whispered among themselves, curiosity and a desire to probe rising in their hearts.
"What's going on?"
"The five head masters all stepping out together – such a scene is rare."
"Could it be that someone bought a batch of premium rough stones?"
Fang Yuan, accompanied by the manager, had already arrived in front of the public stone-cutting workbench.
But he didn't approach, maintaining a low profile, merely watching from afar.
However, the five masters were old and experienced. Their gazes swept around, and when they saw the shop manager following closely like a little attendant beside a young man, how could they not recognize Fang Yuan's identity?
But Fang Yuan just watched from afar and didn't step forward.
The five masters couldn't help speculating: "It seems this young master doesn't want to be conspicuous."
This was very normal.
Many people acted this way before cutting stones. Losing the gamble would be so embarrassing!
"It seems I need to perform well this time, leave a deep impression on this honored guest. Building a connection would be even better." The five masters all secretly planned, rubbing their hands, eager to try.
The few stones Fang Yuan selected were presented first by the assistant.
The watching crowd was stunned to see these stones.
"What? These are all low-grade stones!"
"Am I seeing this right? These broken stones…"
"Giving low-grade rough stones to the master cutters – this is an insult to them."
But what made them even more astonished, eyes wide in disbelief, happened next.
The five masters picked up these low-grade rough stones with both hands, carefully placed them on the stone platforms in front of them, with extremely serious and meticulous expressions. Then they summoned their signature Gu worms and began cutting the stones publicly.
Most of the five masters were at the peak of the second turn. Only Master Duan was at the third turn. For a moment, all kinds of Gu worms appeared, leaving the crowd dumbfounded.
"What is this!"
"Could it be that these stones have some background and are not as simple as they seem?"
"I've never seen the five masters with such solemn and serious expressions."
...