"Miss Long?"
A middle-aged man's voice came from the lounge immediately. Then, someone opened the door. A middle-aged man wearing a white bathrobe, with thick black hair and glasses, looked suspiciously at the door and asked, "Who are these two?"
"This is Mr. Li Yang, and this is his friend. They want to meet you, the gambling stone master and scholar who unearthed the Imperial Green," Long Lingling said directly. "Professor Ning, I hope you can chat with them."
"I originally didn't want to see guests. Since Miss Long personally brought them, come in and let's chat." Professor Ning frowned, clearly displeased about being disturbed by strangers, but he eventually moved aside and let them in.
Li Yang said, "I apologize for disturbing you, Professor."
"If you want tea, pour it yourself," Professor Ning replied with a hum and sat on the sofa.
As the most luxurious gambling stone场 in the country, the VIP lounge of the Haolong Gambling Stone场 was naturally exceptionally luxurious. Here, VIPs enjoyed excellent treatment in all aspects except for illegal activities.
Li Yang sat on the sofa and smiled, "Thank you, Professor, but it's not necessary. I'm not thirsty."
"Then state your business," Professor Ning glanced at him, picked up his teacup, and said, "But let me make it clear first, if you're going to ask me about the secret to unearthing the Imperial Green, I truly have nothing to say."
"It's not that I don't want to reveal the secret, but there really is no secret. I've simply been dealing with stones for decades, diligently learning and improving, and with some luck, I managed to unearth the Imperial Green."
"Professor, you don't need to worry. I'm not here to ask about that. I'd like to ask you to bring out the Imperial Green for us to admire." Li Yang smiled.
Professor Ning asked suspiciously, "Just like that?"
"We came precisely to admire the Imperial Green up close."
"That's easy. Please wait a moment."
Professor Ning thought they were like those people before, trying to trick him. Seeing that they genuinely just wanted to see the stone, he not only wasn't displeased but became happy.
As a collector, showing off his collection to others was definitely a joyful thing.
There's a saying in the antique collecting circle: "To give you a glimpse," which carries a similar meaning.
Collectors aren't necessarily fond of showing off; it's just that if wealth isn't shared, isn't it like walking in brocade at night? Over time, they can't help but share their collections with others, letting them know about their discerning eye and boldness.
Professor Ning immediately took out a palm-sized piece of Imperial Green from his drawer. It was slightly larger than the one Li Yang had unearthed at the Fuhao Gambling Stone场 for the first time.
However, the color was very deep, making it a top-grade Imperial Green. The only pity was that there was a very obvious inclusion of "cotton" in one area.
The so-called "cotton" refers to the white, cotton-like substance within jadeite. It is more obvious than linear fissures and has a more severe depreciating effect on a piece of jadeite.
However, it is much better than having cracks.
But with this cotton in the Imperial Green, the impact on its value was even greater.
If this stone could originally sell for one hundred million, with such an inclusion, it would be devalued to at least eighty million, a loss of twenty million!
This shows how severe the impact is.
Professor Ning sighed, "The item is good, but this piece of cotton is really in the wrong place. If it were at the edge, it would be easier to handle. I could cut off a small portion, and the impact wouldn't be too great. But it's located near the center, which makes things difficult."
"We can't possibly cut it open and sell it in pieces, can we? That would lower its value even further. What do you think, Mr. Li?"
"Indeed, that's the case," Li Yang nodded and reached out to touch the Imperial Green, immediately feeling a suction!
As expected, it could absorb the energy from the Imperial Green!
However, Li Yang also knew very well that this stone didn't belong to him, so he immediately moved his hand away and asked with a smile, "Professor Ning, I actually came to find you for another humble request. I'd like to ask you to part with this stone."
"You want to buy it?" Professor Ning's expression changed. He said reluctantly, "I've been unearthing stones for so many years, and this is the first time I've unearthed Imperial Green. It has special significance to me, and I truly don't want to sell it."
"Seventy-five million." Li Yang smiled.
"Thank you, Mr. Li, but I really can't bear to part with it. It's too commemorative for me."
"Eighty million."
Li Yang directly extended a hand and raised the price again. "Professor Ning, if you're willing, I can pay you right now. If you feel the price is still not right, then consider this as if I never said it."
"This, alright, eighty million it is." Professor Ning considered for a moment and immediately agreed.
It indeed had commemorative significance, but the other party had offered a price!
The deal was struck immediately.
Seeing him directly transfer eighty million to Professor Ning's account, a trace of surprise flashed in Long Lingling's eyes. She exclaimed, "I didn't expect Mr. Li to be so wealthy, to just give away eighty million."
"No matter how much money I have, I'm still your guest, Miss Long," Li Yang said with a smile, placing the stone into a box and putting it away.
Compared to money, which he could earn at any time, he craved to improve his Wuxin Gongfa. It was just that whenever he thought about the Gongfa's advancement, he would feel a burning sensation all over his body. Not long ago, he had even made Sister Shui utterly exhausted.
This time, absorbing the energy from the Imperial Green might not allow him to break through his cultivation realm, but he still needed to be cautious. It would be best to invite Tang Xinyu out before absorbing it.
As for Sister Shui, he truly didn't want to trouble her again.
Doing something like that to a woman once was enough to make Li Yang feel guilty.
Long Lingling's lips curved into a smile, and she said, "Mr. Li, you're very good with your words. But if I'm not mistaken, you haven't spent any money at this gambling stone场 yet, have you?"
"Aren't I about to spend now?" Li Yang stood up with the box and said with a smile, "Professor Ning, I apologize for disturbing you. Goodbye."
"Ah, don't rush off. I've rested enough. How about I accompany you around the gambling stone场?" Professor Ning said immediately.
Li Yang smiled, "That would be great. We'll wait for you outside."
"Please wait a moment."
Professor Ning quickly changed his clothes and came out. He looked like a cultured person with a deep and serious demeanor, but not stern, nor did he appear frightening.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. Let's go." Professor Ning, having earned eighty million, walked with a much lighter step.
Just as Long Lingling was about to follow, several people in suits and leather shoes walked over and whispered something to her. Long Lingling then said, "I apologize, Mr. Li, Professor Ning, and this lady. I have some urgent matters to attend to and must leave for a while. Please go ahead and explore."