Chapter 2332: Nak’s Advice

Tang Ming nodded: “Hmm, I’ll fish one out first. The rest will be handled by Master Nak.”

Tang Ming found the one he favored most earlier, and used a net to scoop it up.

Surprisingly, this Stone Dissolving Liquid was very effective; the stone skin on the Source Stone became brittle and thin, and with a light tap of a small hammer, the outer stone skin fell off by itself.

“You two come and take a look. Is this a Treasure Ore?”

Tang Ming examined the mineral in his hand, furrowing his brows.

This mineral was black and elastic, not recorded at all in the Divine Machine Refinement. He really couldn’t tell what this mineral was even called.

“Treasure Ore? City Lord Tang Ming, don’t you know this thing? Oh right, it’s your first time participating in Source Stone dissolving.”

Yao Jian was first taken aback, then took the mineral from Tang Ming’s hand and said peculiarly.

“Master Yao Jian, stop playing riddles, explain quickly. I also want to know what this thing is. It doesn’t even look like a mineral, without a trace of Immortal Energy.”

Standing beside Tang Ming, Barton Nake also stared wide-eyed; it was his first time handling Source Stone and Treasure Ore.

To be honest, life wasn’t very good for the Demon Slayer Clan originally, so Barton Nake had never participated in any Source Stone trade conferences all these years.

Yao Jian chuckled and then said: “Alright, let me tell City Lord Tang Ming and Master Nak, this thing is called Mudstone. Most Source Stones contain this stuff. Actually, it can be considered as Treasure Ore, but it has no real use.”

“Oh, Mudstone? This thing is called Mudstone?”

Tang Ming took the Mudstone and examined it with surprise.

Mudstone is formed as minerals condense prior to becoming actual minerals. Over the years, it will take on the form of Treasure Ore. It’s basically one of the worst outcomes when opening Source Stone.

Because Mudstone can’t be used as a mineral nor is it Treasure Ore, it can only be regarded as garbage thrown aside.

Yet, Mudstone was different for Tang Ming; Divine Machine Refinement records that Mudstone counts as a type of mineral, only it’s not suitable for crafting Immortal Artifacts, but rather for making molds.

It can be said that the best molds for Immortal Artifacts are refined from Mudstone.

“Master Yao Jian, you mentioned earlier that Mudstone has always been considered useless here in Source Stone City. I wonder if you could help me purchase some Mudstone.”

Tang Ming turned towards Yao Jian.

Yao Jian looked at Tang Ming in surprise: “This, City Lord Tang Ming, Mudstone is usually discarded right after being dissolved. It can’t be used for Artifact Refining, and has no real use. What do you need it for?”

“Master Yao Jian, no need to ask more. Please talk to Jin Baorong for me and have him help me acquire Mudstone at ten spiritual coins apiece, as much as possible.”

Tang Ming chuckled at Yao Jian beside him and then spoke.

Yao Jian nodded; though purchasing Source Stone was quite precious, selling Mudstone for ten spiritual coins was still substantial, better than discarding it as road-fill.

“Alright, I’ll handle this for you. You and Master Nak take a look at these Source Stones first.”

Yao Jian nodded and walked towards the interior of the Source Stone market.

The Jin Family’s booth was deep inside, with a specially designated stall that was much larger than those outside.

Seeing Yao Jian leave, the fat stall owner came to Tang Ming’s side: “City Lord Tang Ming, could it be that this Mudstone actually has use? For thousands of years, Mudstone has never been acquired by anyone, and this is your first time.”

“Every affair has its first time. Besides, my purchase isn’t really expensive, right?”

Tang Ming smiled at the fat owner, without continuing to delve into the matter.

The transaction price of one Source Stone ranged from hundreds to tens of thousands. Whereas Tang Ming’s Mudstone was purchased for just ten spiritual coins per pound.

Patients buying Source Stones wouldn’t care about such money, but some businessmen in the mineral trade calculated it all in.

Seeing Tang Ming not speak further, the fat owner ceased asking. He thought about how he’d opened quite a bit of Mudstone over the years and hurried to contact his family to flip those stored Mudstones from the warehouse bottom.

Tang Ming had bought over ten Source Stones from the fat owner, two pieces turned into Mudstone, the rest ordinary Refined Iron Ore. These Refined Iron Ore estimates would fetch around one thousand spiritual coins if sold.

Yet Tang Ming bought Source Stone for over five thousand spiritual coins.

Seeing Barton Nake beside him looking displeased, the fat owner felt awkward: “I didn’t expect, from over ten pieces none had a Treasure Ore. How about I return some spiritual coins to City Lord Tang Ming.”

Tang Ming shook his head: “It’s just our bad luck. After all, owner you can’t predict whether the Source Stone holds minerals or Treasure Ore inside. Come, Master, let’s check inside.”

Barton Nake nodded; most of the Source Stones were chosen by him and Yao Jian.

The Demon Slayer Clan had long endured poverty; even with improving life now, they continued saving and being frugal. This loss buying Source Stones caused Barton Nake discomfort.

“City Lord, I think we should spend money to directly purchase Treasure Ore.”

Watching Tang Ming excitedly examining Source Stones, Barton Nake pulled on his arm and said.

Tang Ming was first taken aback, then realized; losing in previous stone betting is indeed cause for such thoughts from Barton Nake.

Yet for Tang Ming, betting on stones naturally involved winning and losing; once he fully understood the Stone Breaking Skill from Divine Machine Refinement, buying Source Stone shouldn’t result in losses.

“We could do that, but I’m genuinely interested in the Source Stone trade. Don’t worry, West Continent City is wealthy now. Just selling Immortal Rice can purchase all the Source Stones here.”

Tang Ming smiled at Barton Nake and then said.

Barton Nake was silent for a while before speaking: “City Lord, I know all this money was earned by you. Technically, I shouldn’t intervene but, once before, the Demon Slayer Clan was rich. In the end, weren’t we reduced to destitution? Stay vigilant.”

“Hmm hmm. Master Nak, you’re right. How about this? I’ll buy fewer. If I lose again, I’ll stop buying.”

Tang Ming nodded smiling, without stopping his Source Stone selection.

Watching Tang Ming pick out a large batch of Source Stones, spending over ten thousand spiritual coins, Barton Nake twitched his mouth.

However, Barton Nake knew well, among these Source Stones bought for ten thousand spiritual coins, opening even just one Treasure Ore would ensure no loss.