Chapter 30: Slap Him 

In the evening, after putting Carmelia to sleep and spending some intimate time with Sherise, Ruxley returned to his room and entered the Blood Fiend Hall. Lately, he had been diligently studying the alchemy knowledge stored in the inheritance jade from the Pill Hall. After days of hard work, he had mastered most of the alchemical techniques and now just needed to put them into practice. Starting today, however, Ruxley decided to broaden his studies by learning about artifact refining. Alchemy and artifact refining shared many similarities in technique; the primary difference lay in the materials. With his solid foundation in alchemy, Ruxley found artifact refining to be much easier to grasp. After a single night of study, he already had some valuable insights. The challenge, however, was that materials for artifact refining were much harder to come by. Even with the knowledge, he couldn't apply it without the right resources. "If I can find some top-grade jade stones, I could try refining protective jade talismans," Ruxley mused while holding the inheritance jade. The jade recorded a method for creating protective talismans—perfect for beginners like him. The materials needed weren't too rare; he simply needed high-quality jade, with the level of protection depending on its quality. Determined, Ruxley planned to visit the jade market in Shiphay City the next day in search of the right stones. While Sherise and Carmelia were well-guarded, having a few protective talismans for extra safety would give him peace of mind. The following morning, after sending Carmelia to school, Ruxley drove to the largest gem market in Shiphay City—Silverstream Gemstone Market. Located by the Silverstream, this expansive market spanned hundreds of acres and boasted hundreds of jade shops, making it the biggest gemstone hub in the city.  Its most famous store was Imperial Boutique, an establishment with a legacy stretching back hundreds of years and stores across the Saultrouge Kingdom. Although its prices were about ten percent higher than those of its competitors, its reputation and the quality of its jade were unmatched. Ruxley, unbothered by the cost, made his way directly to Imperial Boutique. Upon arrival, he discovered that today happened to be their monthly stone gambling event. The store was bustling with enthusiasts, including many young masters from prominent families in Shiphay City. "Stone gambling? Interesting," Ruxley thought, his curiosity piqued. He had heard of it but never participated, and today seemed like a good opportunity to try. After he and Fafnian entered the store, the stone gambling event officially began, and everyone was led to the designated area. The space was filled with rough jadeite stones, each labeled with its origin, weight, and price. The stones varied greatly in price, ranging from tens of thousands to over a hundred million, depending on their size and origin. Stone gambling required not only a hefty wallet but also strong nerves. The experienced gamblers quickly got to work, using various professional tools to examine the stones. Ruxley, however, strolled leisurely through the area, his hands clasped behind his back. Though he wasn't skilled in stone identification, he had learned a spiritual sensing technique from the inheritance jade. This allowed him to sense the spiritual energy fluctuations within objects. Jade stones were formed from the essence of heaven and earth, meaning they contained spiritual energy. The higher the quality of the jade, the more concentrated its spiritual energy. By sensing the strength of the energy within the stones, Ruxley could determine whether they contained valuable jade. Imperial Boutique's reputation proved well-deserved. The jadeite stones were expensive but of excellent quality. After a period of observation, Ruxley identified several stones that contained jade. However, none met his requirements, so he moved on without hesitation. Finally, he came across a jadeite stone that caught his eye. It came from a renowned jade pit in Myanmar, weighed over a hundred kilograms, and was priced at two million, making it one of the most expensive stones in the room. The high price had deterred many, leaving it unclaimed. A faint smile crossed Ruxley's lips as he sensed the incredibly rich spiritual energy within the stone, far surpassing anything else he had inspected that day. Confident that it held a high-quality jade, he was about to call over a staff member to make his purchase when a middle-aged man suddenly approached. "Kid, I've got my eye on that stone," the man said rudely. "I'll give you a hundred thousand if you let me have it." The man, named Lyverius, owned a real estate company in Shiphay City and was a notable figure in the stone gambling scene. His identification skills were highly regarded, and he had instantly recognized the stone's potential. Ruxley frowned, giving Lyverius a brief glance but said nothing. He wasn't the type to give up on something he wanted. Seeing that Ruxley was ignoring him, Lyverius' expression darkened. "Kid, President Medici is talking to you! Are you deaf?" A young man in his twenties, dressed in a sharp black suit, stepped forward and shouted at Ruxley. The young man, Nocshade, was from a minor family in Shiphay City. Eager to curry favor with Lyverius, he jumped at the chance to speak on his behalf. Lyverius, putting on a show of magnanimity, waved his hand. "It's alright. The young don't understand. No need to take it personally." Nocshade, nodding vigorously, plastered a fawning smile on his face. "President Medici, your reputation precedes you. It's an honor to witness your generosity firsthand. I'll have to learn more from you in the future." Ruxley, unfazed by their exchange, gave Nocshade a cold look and said calmly, "Slap him." In the next moment, Fafnian, who had been standing silently by Ruxley's side, stepped forward and delivered a hard slap to Nocshade's face, sending him flying across the floor.