Ge Shaocong's two accompanying bodyguards were martial arts experts his father, the Director of the Supervisory Department, had hired at great expense. He was quite confident in them.
However, he had underestimated his bodyguards, or rather, he was too arrogant and ignorant, and had severely underestimated Xiao Yunlong and the other man.
In just one exchange, the surrounding crowd couldn't even clearly see what had happened. They only heard two thuds, and the two strong bodyguards had already fallen, curled up like shrimp, clutching their abdomens and groaning in agony.
Ge Shaocong was stunned by this scene. It was only then that he realized these two individuals were not simple.
"Who exactly are you?" Ge Shaocong demanded.
"You only ask who we are now? It's too late!" Jun Bufan sneered and walked directly towards him.
Ge Shaocong's face turned pale, and he retreated repeatedly. He shouted, "I'm telling you, my father is the Director of the Supervisory Department. If you dare..."
Before he could finish speaking, Jun Bufan had already reached him and twisted his arm on the spot.
Of course, he only twisted it, not breaking it directly. Although Ge Shaocong cried out in pain, it could still be reattached with proper medical treatment.
In fact, this was Jun Bufan showing restraint.
"I don't care who your father is. If you dare disrespect my elder brother, you won't be spared!"
After speaking, Jun Bufan dragged Ge Shaocong to the cutting equipment and shoved him into the pile of crushed stone powder.
Ge Shaocong wailed and struggled, but he couldn't break free. Soon, his entire body was covered in a layer of white stone powder.
The onlookers exchanged glances, thinking how ruthless these two young men were to dare lay hands on the young master of the Ge family.
Mai Yousu, the owner of the jade quarry, was extremely anxious. If anything were to happen to this young master of the Ge family on his premises, he would likely be ruined.
"Mr. Xiao, you've calmed down now. How about we leave it at that? Young Master Ge was a bit arrogant and overbearing, but ultimately, he didn't commit any major offense. So... please be understanding. I'm in a difficult position!"
The owner, Mai Yousu, had no other choice and turned to Xiao Yunlong, pleading.
"Alright, for Mr. Mai's sake, let's stop here. We're leaving!" Xiao Yunlong said and turned to go.
Jun Bufan kicked Ge Shaocong to the ground, then turned and quickly followed.
The surrounding crowd made way. Although the jade quarry had many security guards, no one dared to step forward at this moment.
Xiao Yunlong had not gone far when he suddenly turned back. Ge Shaocong, who had just been helped up, was so frightened that his legs trembled, and he collapsed to the ground again.
However, Xiao Yunlong couldn't be bothered to look at him. He walked directly to Mai Yousu and asked, "By the way, Mr. Mai, since you run a jade quarry, you must know professional craftsmen who polish jade, right?"
"Mr. Xiao, you... want to polish jade?" Mai Yousu asked.
"Precisely. I want to make a bracelet, a regular size will do. Can you help me?" Xiao Yunlong said, handing over the jade stone, which was as flat as a palm.
Both of these jade stones contained spiritual energy. Xiao Yunlong had originally intended to absorb them, but Liu Ruyan's winter break was approaching, and she would likely be back soon.
They usually only contacted each other by phone from time to time. To be honest, Xiao Yunlong hadn't given her anything yet, and he felt quite ashamed thinking about it.
Since it was a coincidence, he might as well make her a bracelet. In any case, Xiao Yunlong couldn't think of any better gifts.
Mai Yousu was stunned. "Mr. Xiao, are you perhaps planning to make a bracelet from this imperial-grade treasure jade? Isn't that a bit... too wasteful?"
"It's not wasteful. Just make it, but make sure to hire a professional craftsman!" Xiao Yunlong said.
Mai Yousu pondered for a moment, then nodded. "Alright, it's rare for Mr. Xiao to trust me with such a valuable imperial jade to be crafted. Please rest assured, I will hire the most professional and authoritative craftsman in Longyan City. This way, one bracelet will be made from this piece of jade, and I'll use the stone core to polish a thumb ring. It's just enough!"
"Mr. Xiao is likely preparing to give it to someone. If it's for a lover or a partner, it would be perfect. The lady wears the bracelet, and the gentleman wears the thumb ring. A perfect match!"
Xiao Yunlong nodded. "Thank you for your trouble. By the way, how much will this cost?"
Mai Yousu waved his hand and chuckled. "Mr. Xiao, you're too kind. This cost is waived. You just need to give me the remaining scraps later."
"Okay, it's settled then. I'll come to pick it up in two days!" Xiao Yunlong said, and then he and Jun Bufan left.
Only then did Ge Shaocong get up from the ground. However, having lost all face, he couldn't say anything more. After giving Mai Yousu a fierce glare, he left in disgrace.
As for Xiao Yunlong and Jun Bufan, they had already driven back to the Longcheng Grand Hotel.
Zhuge Wushuang and Tang Bowen's investigation had not yet yielded any results, but Xiao Yunlong knew that this couldn't be accomplished in a day or two, so he could only stay for the time being.
After dinner, the two casually strolled through Longyan City's most prosperous commercial district, then returned to the hotel. Xiao Yunlong announced that he would be entering seclusion.
After all, he still had a piece of jade. Since there was nothing to do, it was best to absorb and refine it to improve his cultivation and strength.
Over the next two days, Xiao Yunlong did not leave his room. He didn't even eat, spending all his time meditating and cultivating on the bed.
After two days of absorption, the fist-sized, emerald green, and translucent imperial jade had become dull and lusterless. Not only had its translucent greenness disappeared, but its surface had also become rough, looking no different from ordinary stone.
Of course, after absorbing and refining the spiritual energy within the jade, Xiao Yunlong's martial arts cultivation had once again improved, and it had increased beyond imagination.
"As expected of imperial-grade treasure jade, the spiritual energy contained within is far more potent than the jade pendant from last time. In just two days, I've opened twelve divine kingdoms, and my strength has more than doubled!"
Xiao Yunlong sighed deeply, his face unable to hide his joy and excitement.
If it weren't for the fact that the other piece of jade had already been used to make a bracelet, Xiao Yunlong would have had the urge to refine and absorb it right now.
"Never mind, I'll find more later. The world is so vast, there should be plenty of jade containing spiritual energy. Moreover, it's probably not just jade; some antique objects might also contain it. I'll have to pay more attention in the future!"
Xiao Yunlong said as he got out of bed. He had now opened a total of seventy divine kingdoms. Although he was still a long way from the great perfection of three thousand, he could feel a surging power within him.
He merely clenched his fist, and instantly, his bones creaked. He even felt as if the air was about to explode.
"This power, it's so strong!" Xiao Yunlong's heart surged with emotion. If this continued, once he opened a hundred divine kingdoms in his body and cultivated them to completion, he might be able to consider going to the imperial capital.
"However, before heading to the imperial capital, I must resolve the matters in Southern Xinjiang!"
Xiao Yunlong narrowed his eyes, a sharp golden light shooting out from them.
After a simple wash, he and Jun Bufan drove away from the Longcheng Grand Hotel again, heading directly towards the jade quarry in the western suburbs.
However, when the two of them arrived, they were both stunned. The once intact jade quarry had been smashed to pieces!
Xiao Yunlong's expression instantly turned grim.