This felt somewhat similar to Ming Zhitian's stone gambling back on Earth. Ming Zhitian picked up a very inconspicuous, medium-sized stone and asked, "How much for this one?"
The vendor smiled slightly and said, "This one? I can tell you're new. As an honest merchant, I don't recommend you pick this one. Perhaps you'd like to look at others."
Ming Zhitian shook his head. "I've set my heart on this one. Let's see what it holds when it's opened. Is it gold or crystal?"
The vendor was confused. "Gold and crystal?"
He then shook his head, clearly thinking Ming Zhitian was a naive novice who knew nothing.
However, seeing Ming Zhitian's persistence, he quoted a price: "Three million Divine Martial Coins."
"What?!" Empress Xingchen, though not short of money, felt a twinge of annoyance. "Are you treating us like lambs to the slaughter?"
The vendor expressed his helplessness. "This raw stone isn't mine, nor is it the owner's. It was left here on consignment by a scholar-like man, and his asking price is three million. I only get a five percent commission."
Seeing their disbelief, the vendor said with a wry smile, "I don't know why he's selling it for so much. It's just a common piece of material, likely to yield nothing. I advise you both to choose something else."
"Zhitian."
Empress Xingchen looked at him. Ming Zhitian confirmed, "I'll take it."
"Are you sure? No backing out now," the vendor confirmed repeatedly.
Ming Zhitian nodded. Empress Xingchen was about to pay, but Ming Zhitian stopped her. "I have the money."
He then casually took three million Divine Martial Coins from his storage bag and handed them to the vendor.
Empress Xingchen found him even more inscrutable. Why would he buy a worthless stone?
The vendor quickly took the three million, fearing Ming Zhitian might change his mind, and handed the medium-sized stone to him. "Money exchanged, goods delivered. It's yours now."
Ming Zhitian smiled slightly. "Aren't you going to cut it open for me?"
The vendor froze. "It... it wouldn't be appropriate, young man. Listen to me, take it back and cut it yourself. If you cut it here, I fear you'll lose face and be ridiculed."
Ming Zhitian chuckled. "I've performed in comedy skits before. If they want to laugh, let them laugh."
The vendor shook his head. "You're sure you want it cut?"
Ming Zhitian nodded. "Cut it, take your time. There might be something good inside."
The vendor chuckled, suppressing it with effort. "Alright, alright. Please wait a moment."
He then retrieved a great dragon-slaying saber from behind. "Although this isn't a premium piece of material, since it's worth millions, I'll use my dragon-slaying saber to cut it open."
As he picked up the saber and aimed it at the stone, it was clear this was the "dragon-slaying saber" he spoke of.
With the first cut, the vendor exclaimed, "One Dragon Ascending!"
With the second cut, "Two Dragons Playing with Pearls, signifying rolling wealth!"
The third, fourth, and fifth cuts: "A trilogy of love leading to a beautiful woman, Four Treasures and auspicious days, Five Blessings and longevity to return to the true path, Sixes smooth sailing setting off, Seven entries and seven exits defining the universe! Eight directions converging to form gold and water, Ninety-nine returning to one for a victorious flag! Ten perfection and myriad wishes fulfilled! May your heart's desire come true! Open!……”
This entire performance immediately drew a crowd, and the ancient stone stall was quickly packed shoulder to shoulder.
"I heard someone is opening stones. Over there, let's go see."
"What's so interesting about opening ancient stones? It's not as good as looking at pretty women."
"That stone is quite valuable, three million."
"Let's see what he opens, come on, let's go."
A stone that would normally take two or three cuts was painstakingly sliced by the vendor over twenty times. Truly a remarkable skill.
Ming Zhitian could only admire his eloquence. Business was like this; to get rich, one had to hone their speaking skills.
Someone exclaimed, "It's out! It's out!"
"Don't block my view, let me see! What came out?"
"This...!!"