Chapter 42: The Newly Ascended Master

Chapter 42: A Newly Emerged Master

Red jade, also known as blood jade, is a distinct variety of jadeite, separate from the common green types. It is exceptionally rare, named for its texture, which resembles fresh blood.

Li Yun had only ever heard of blood jade from his grandfather and had never seen a genuine piece. Compared to standard green jadeite, the probability of finding blood jade is even lower—on par with the rarest "glass-grade" jade—and its price is naturally exorbitant.

"Could it really be blood jade?" Li Yun felt a sense of trepidation. He was caught in a deep conflict, simultaneously wishing Yang Qi would reveal the blood jade and hoping he would not.

For anyone involved in the jade trade, the discovery of such a top-tier treasure in one's own hands is the ultimate dream. A master stone gambler like Li Yun longed to uncover it himself. Yet, because the odds of doing so were infinitesimally small, he was desperate not to miss the chance to witness it firsthand, leaving him profoundly torn.

As the sandpaper continued its rhythmic friction, the red hue revealed within the stone grew increasingly vibrant, looking like a pool of fresh blood resting quietly inside the rock.

"It really is red jade?" The onlookers were stunned as the crimson color manifested.

Most of those present had been involved in stone gambling for many years, yet this was the first time any of them had seen red jade—even Shen Yuxuan, the chairwoman of Shen’s Jewelry, was no exception.

"Is this... blood jade?" Shen Yuxuan whispered, unable to believe her eyes.

Blood jade?

The mention of the name brought the crowd to their senses. As professional jewelers, they were all familiar with the legend of blood jade, but they never dreamed they would have the chance to see a real one in their lifetime.

"This is blood jade? It’s just like the legends—as vivid as flowing blood!"
"It truly lives up to its name."
"To witness such a treasure—this trip was well worth it!"

The excitement was palpable as the crowd erupted into animated discussion. This was blood jade—a gem that many in the industry would never encounter in a lifetime.

The technician responsible for the cutting felt his hands tremble slightly, though he quickly regained his composure. While he had never cut a blood jade before, as the head technician for the Li family’s VIP machines, he had experience with glass-grade jade.

Under his careful polishing, a pearl-sized bead slowly emerged into full view.

"Young man, I offer one million!" an abrupt voice rang out.

Previously, the crowd had refrained from bidding out of respect for Yang Qi’s position as a consultant for Shen’s Jewelry, which held the right of first refusal. But blood jade was different. Such a rare treasure was rarely meant for resale; it was a collector’s prize. If Shen’s Jewelry tried to sell it, they might not even reach the prices these collectors were willing to pay.

"One million? You think you can take it for that? Two million!"
"Four million!"
"Five million!"

In mere moments, the price of the bead, which was no larger than a pearl, had skyrocketed to a staggering five million.

Even for glass-grade jade, a piece of that size would typically fetch only two or three million. Yet, the price had already soared to five million. Despite the cost, the crowd’s enthusiasm remained undimmed. Blood jade was priceless; money alone could not procure it. Glass-grade jade was rare, but large firms like Shen’s Jewelry usually had some in stock. If you had the money, you could buy it anytime. But blood jade? It was a ghost; no one knew where to find one for sale.

Shen Yuxuan watched the bidding but made no move to intervene. Shen’s Jewelry was facing external crises that a single piece of blood jade could not resolve. The price had already far exceeded her expectations, and she had no intention of competing. Blood jade was like an antique; its value depended entirely on finding a buyer who cherished it. She had no idea how long it would take to sell, and she wasn't even certain if her company could survive its current predicament.

Yang Qi picked up the blood jade. A surge of powerful vitality instantly poured into his body. He could feel this energy nourishing his physical form; though the effect was negligible for him personally, he recognized the jade as an extraordinary treasure.

As the old saying goes, "Jade nourishes the person." The effect of this blood jade was potent. For someone suffering from depleted vitality, wearing this piece would undoubtedly help alleviate their condition.

"This blood jade is perfect for Elder Qin," Yang Qi thought. He understood the jade's value and immediately realized it would be a tremendous help to the elderly man. He had been pondering what gift to bring for Elder Qin’s birthday, and now he had his answer.

"Six million! I bid six million!"

The price had climbed to six million—enough to buy two or three rings made of glass-grade jade.

"I’m sorry, everyone, but I have no intention of selling this blood jade," Yang Qi suddenly announced.

The crowd could not hide their disappointment.

"Since you don't intend to sell, young brother, we cannot force you," said a slightly stout middle-aged man in the crowd. "But if you ever decide to part with it, look for me, Old Xiao."

Yang Qi looked at the man and saw similar expressions of regret on the faces of others. "I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you, Brother Xiao. I have an elder’s birthday approaching, and I intend to present this as a gift."

"I see..." The middle-aged man gave a bitter laugh. "It seems this treasure and I were not meant to be."

"Mr. Yang is truly worthy of being the consultant for Shen’s Jewelry," Li Yun spoke up suddenly. "To extract this blood jade bead from such a large stone—I must admit, my own skills pale in comparison."

The crowd, still reeling from their disappointment, paused at his words.

The entire process had been nerve-wracking; not a single cut had shown a profit, and by the end, only a small piece the size of a milk carton remained. Yet, Yang Qi had persisted with such confidence. And the result had stunned everyone. Had Yang Qi not declared he wasn't selling, the price would likely have climbed to eight million—higher than an equivalent piece of glass-grade jade.

Reminded by Li Yun, the observers recalled Yang Qi’s calm and collected demeanor throughout the process. Such technique was undoubtedly that of a master.

"Three consecutive successes, culminating in the appearance of a top-tier treasure like blood jade—he is truly a master!"
"I never expected that while witnessing the birth of a blood jade, I would also witness the emergence of a new master of stone gambling. This trip was truly worthwhile."

The crowd did not refute Li Yun’s assessment; they agreed wholeheartedly. Yang Qi’s skill had surpassed them all, earning him the title of Master.

As professional jewelers, their recognition carried weight. As long as Yang Qi maintained this standard, his reputation as a master would spread throughout the industry.

"A master of stone gambling!" A smile appeared on Shen Yuxuan’s face. Although this recognition was currently limited to a small circle, the fact that his peers acknowledged him was a significant boon for Shen’s Jewelry.