Chapter 52: Becoming a Disciple

“How… how is this possible?” Jin Mantian’s eyes widened in disbelief as he couldn’t help but rush forward.

Right before his eyes, a piece of pure, top-quality emerald green jade had been revealed from the stone.

A cold sweat broke out on his forehead, and his words stuttered. This was just a piece of scrap, and yet, it had really produced green!

He had roamed the world of stone gambling for half his life—was he really about to lose to a young upstart?

“Haha, wonderful! It seems Lin Feng was telling the truth; he wasn’t boasting at all!” Li Bing’er leaped with joy the moment she saw the emerald jade.

Fluttering her beautiful eyes, she turned to Lin Feng and gave a thumbs-up. “Lin Feng, you’re incredible! To get green on the first try!”

“A piece of cake,” Lin Feng replied with a faint smile.

“Hmph, don’t get ahead of yourself, boy. When we made the bet, you claimed there’d be millennium-old jade inside. This is just a bit of green—what’s there to celebrate?” Jin Mantian, angered by Lin Feng’s confidence, gritted his teeth and stepped forward with a cold snort. “For all we know, there’s only a smidge of green in there, and it might be ordinary jade at that.”

Lin Feng shrugged nonchalantly. “Just wait and see. The result will be clear soon enough.”

With a final hiss, the stonecutter finished the last cut, splitting the stone into two halves. He blew forcefully across the cross-section, sending the stone dust flying and revealing an interior of pure water-blue jade, as clear as the sky and sea.

The jade looked like a deep, serene spring—utterly pure, without a trace of impurity, and of a quality far beyond ordinary jade!

Jin Mantian, with his vast knowledge of jade, examined it in utter disbelief, stunned to the core.

“It really is millennium-old jade—and not just any, but ancient Imperial Green of the highest order!” Jin Mantian stood dumbfounded, his eyes bulging in shock.

The entire room erupted in an uproar.

No one present had imagined that this would truly be a piece of millennium-old jade!

Jade can be dated by its texture and color; this piece had likely started as pure water-source Imperial Green, but over the centuries, its hue had deepened. The stone’s sandy, porous exterior allowed for optimal light and moisture penetration, further enriching its color over time.

Thus, through the slow accumulation of centuries, this peerless treasure—ancient Imperial Green, one in a hundred million—had come to be!

“What extraordinary skill! This is the most remarkable display of stone gambling I’ve seen in my life. Master Jin, you have lost.” Zhao Peng, the owner of the Stone Gambling Pavilion, was stunned by the scene before him. Regaining his composure, he turned to Jin Mantian, marveling.

Jin Mantian staggered back several steps, shaking his head in disbelief at what he had witnessed. He, a veteran of the field, had lost to a man barely in his twenties!

How could he possibly show his face in the world of stone gambling after this?

“Master Jin, the truth is plain to see. By our wager, when will you take me as your master?” After confirming the jade’s quality, Lin Feng turned and smiled at Jin Mantian.

“I, I…” Jin Mantian stammered for a long while, unable to utter a word, wishing he could disappear on the spot.

After praising Lin Feng, Li Bing’er also turned to Jin Mantian with a gentle smile. “Master Jin, are you thinking of breaking your word? If you do, your title of ‘Golden Heavenly Eye’ will be tarnished, and you’ll be known as a man without honor.”

“In the future, whoever sees you will call you untrustworthy. How will you continue in the stone gambling world?”

“I… I’ve lost, and so I shall accept you as my master.” After much hesitation, with despair written across his face, Jin Mantian finally bowed his head and conceded defeat, unable to overcome his sense of honor.

For all his pride, Jin Mantian was not a man to break his word!

All around, the crowd widened their eyes, whipping out their phones to record this historic moment.

The renowned Golden Heavenly Eye had lost to an unknown young man and was accepting him as master!

Once this news spread, it would shake the entire stone gambling world!

“Master, please accept your disciple’s bow.” After much internal struggle, Jin Mantian could not save face, and before everyone, he cupped his hands and bowed deeply to Lin Feng, proclaiming loudly.

Lin Feng stepped forward and smiled faintly. “Good disciple, follow your master from now on, and I promise you’ll never be mistreated.”

As he spoke, he even patted Jin Mantian’s head!

Jin Mantian was furious—so many people watching, and his dignity was utterly lost. Yet he had no choice.

Standing to the side, Li Bing’er blinked her beautiful eyes, finding Lin Feng dazzlingly impressive at that moment.

Never before had she truly admired a man—from the bottom of her heart—other than her adoptive father. Lin Feng was the first.

After the ceremony, Jin Mantian, seething, prepared to leave. But Lin Feng coughed and sneered, “Good disciple, you haven’t yet announced that you’re passing the title of Golden Heavenly Eye to me.”

“Hmph! From this day forth, you are Golden Heavenly Eye.” Jin Mantian stopped, spat the words out in anger, and walked away without looking back.

A round of applause erupted throughout the hall!

Lin Feng had become the center of attention.

He thanked the crowd, picked up the jade, and headed to pay Zhao Peng. However, Zhao Peng shook his head, returned the money, and said, “Master Lin, I gift you this stone. Please, you owe me nothing—just honor my humble shop with your presence in the future.”

“Of course, of course,” Lin Feng replied without hesitation.

He understood Zhao Peng’s motives—the man wished to forge a connection with him, for Lin Feng was now the new Golden Heavenly Eye!

In their eyes, it would not be long before Lin Feng’s name resounded through the city.

Taking the jade, Lin Feng turned and left the Stone Gambling Pavilion.

Outside, Li Bing’er excitedly grabbed Lin Feng’s hand and beamed, “Lin Feng, you’re incredible! I hereby declare you my idol!”

“If you ever need anything, I, Li Bing’er, will help you without hesitation.”

“You’re too kind, Miss Li. Now that you have the millennium-old jade, wear it close, and it will dispel the ill fortune on you. I have other matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave.” Lin Feng handed her the ancient jade and turned to go.

Li Bing’er was left bewildered by his indifference.

She glanced at the jade, then her eyes sparkled with mischief. She hurried after Lin Feng, grinning. “Wait, Lin, hold on! Are you still mad at me?”

“The last time I was disrespectful to you in front of my adoptive father, it was only because I didn’t know you then. Can’t you forgive me?”

“What are you talking about? When did I ever say I was mad at you?” Lin Feng replied bluntly.

“Really? You’re not mad?” Li Bing’er rubbed her chin, more puzzled by this man than ever.

She had thought Lin Feng liked her and was deliberately trying to get close. But now, it seemed he had no interest in her at all!

Could it be because of that Miss Su?