aircannonsinc Chapter 190 Even stones have hearts...
Chapter 190 Even stones have hearts...
Paimon shook his little body and said, "Then think of a way to let them compete, then we will know who has the stronger ability."
"How do we compare this?" Old Dai touched the back of his head, very confused, because identifying minerals is really difficult.
"Then you guys figure out a way and have a competition. If Zhongli wins, let Zhongli come to help!" Paimon had a cute smile, like a little porcelain doll.
Kong held his forehead with one hand, looking helpless. He had to help after winning the competition? What kind of logic is this? It seems that Paimeng should learn some cultural lessons.
"Competition?" Kunjun cheered and said, "I'm happy to accompany you."
Zhongli's eyes flickered, and he said calmly, "This gentleman seems to be in high spirits. How would you like to compete?"
Kunjun smiled and said, "You look like an expert, but I won't necessarily lose to you. Although, I only know this much."
"Mr. Zhongli, what do you think of this stone?" He took out a smooth stone with some cracks from his bag.
Zhongli pondered for a moment, then muttered, "The surface of this stone is smooth, and the cracks on the surface are caused by volcanic eruptions. If I'm not mistaken, this should be a stone embryo from another country."
Hearing this, Kunjun's eyes sparkled, and he smiled and praised: "Mr. Zhongli has a good eye!"
Zhongli remained unmoved. He looked at the stone and continued, "This is not an ordinary stone embryo. The outer shell is thin and has black lines. I guess it contains high-quality crystal ore."
Kunjun nodded and said, "That's right. This stone comes from the vicinity of the volcano. I bought it at the market while strolling around. The shopkeeper didn't know the value of the stone and thought it was just leftover material, but he didn't know the secret behind it."
"Just because the color is pure and the texture is high-quality is not enough to be called a treasure. Some of the rarer crystals contain water bubbles, and some contain gold sand."
"The crystal hidden under this layer of stone shell was wrapped with a ball of water at the moment of its formation. The water is hidden at the bottom, like a full moon in the mountains, reflecting the sky and moving. It is quite rare."
Paimon smacked his lips and said, "How detailed! It's exactly like what he saw with his own eyes. Are they kidding us?"
Zhongli affirmed, "No, he is telling the truth. Most crystals are born in high temperature environments. High temperature and flowing water are incompatible, so water-filled crystals are precious. This crystal contains water from a high mountain lake, which is even rarer and more precious."
Kunjun's eyes flashed with shock, and he praised again: "This is the first time I've seen someone with such good eyesight as Mr. Zhongli. How did you know what's underneath the stone shell?!"
Zhongli smiled faintly and said softly: "I have seen a lot, so I naturally have some experience. I hope you don't mind if I show off a little bit, Brother Kun. In fact, Mr. Mo Ran next to me is also a good stone appraiser!"
"Oh? I originally felt that I got along well with you two. I didn't expect that we are good at the same things. Haha." Kunjun laughed heartily, from the bottom of his heart.
Mo Ran held the wine bowl, glanced at the idler who had talked too much, and said calmly: "He only knows a little bit. Compared with the two gentlemen with real talents, he is nothing."
Old Dai crossed his arms in front of him and laughed loudly, "Boss Mo must be being modest. I can see that!"
Paimon asked in confusion, "Can you tell that?"
"Of course, I look at stones and I look at people. My eyes are very accurate. Not to mention, Boss Mo is a benchmark and leader in the field of ancient jade appraisal."
Old Dai continued, "For those of us who work in the mining industry, Mr. Mo's name is well known to everyone. I was shortsighted and didn't recognize you just now. Please don't blame me!"
"How come Mo Ran has become the strongest person again? I'm not surprised at all!" Paimeng lowered his eyes. He was no longer surprised by this situation. Kong had a similar expression.
Mo Ran spread his hands. He didn't know where these titles came from. He bought jade in the past few years because of Zhongli's request and purchased it on behalf of others. He was afraid that it was fake news spread by someone.
Kunjun looked at the sturdy man and suggested, "Old Dai, take them both with you."
"Okay, one more person means more help. After we are ready, let's meet at the Layered Abyss." With the extra help, Lao Dai readily agreed. After all, this matter was indeed tricky.
Sora thought for a moment and asked, "So, what is the mission?"
Old Dai did not hide anything and said frankly: "Several of our brothers are missing. It was six days ago when I went out with a few guys to do some work. When I came back, I heard that four of the brothers who stayed behind were missing."
"I led people to search the entire mining area, but we couldn't find them. I had no other options, so I posted a commission with the Adventurer's Association."
Zhongli put his hand on his chin and said slowly: "That is to say, four miners are missing."
"Yes." Old Dai nodded and said, "There were originally ten of us. The missing ones are A-Long, Cen Da, Cen Er, and Xiao Mao. They were all miners who worked with me."
Kong raised his eyebrows slightly and guessed, "Is it possible that they went to another mine?"
Old Dai replied, "No, we searched the entire mining area, but there was no trace of it, and there was no active mine nearby."
“The Layered Abyss is so vast, and you have searched all of it!” Kunjun was a little surprised. Perhaps he could not remember other things, but he remembered the appearance of that area deeply, as if it was engraved in his mind.
"We've searched everywhere, not even an inch left. The only thing left is to dig three feet underground. But we can't have four living people digging into the ground, can we?" Old Dai frowned slightly. He felt guilty whenever he mentioned those brothers. It was he who took them out, but he couldn't bring them back safely.
"If it's about the missing miners in the Layered Abyss, I may have some clues." Mo Ran pretended to be calm and said, "This morning, a returning caravan reported to me that they saw a group of miners near Nantianmen, also four people!"
"Really?!" Old Dai let out a sigh of relief, very excited. He would not have any doubt about the words of the man in black, because there was no need for a man whose reputation and behavior were always impeccable to ruin his good reputation because of one incident.
Mo Ran nodded slightly and said calmly: "We need to see it with our own eyes to know the details. You stay in Liyue Harbor and wait. We will go there."
Mo Ran had his own plans for doing this, because he already knew what would happen this time. If the Ruota Dragon King succeeded in breaking the seal and getting out, everything around him would probably be reduced to ashes and nothing would remain.
“Okay, okay. I’ll go back to the mining team and wait there. Remember to notify me when you come back.” Old Dai turned and left, heading towards the southern part of Liyue Harbor.
After Old Dai left, Zhongli looked at everyone and said, "Since Mo Ran has a clue, let's do as you said and check around Nantianmen first."
Kunjun said: "I have no objection."
Sora remained silent, only nodding in agreement.
Paimon looked doubtful, but agreed anyway.
Later, when the group was on their way, she slowly floated to a man in black and whispered, "Mo Ran, it seems that no caravan has returned this morning?"
Mo Ran smiled faintly and said, "Indeed, no, I made that up. It was mainly because I noticed something strange happening near the Nantian Gate. And coincidentally, a miner went missing. It's hard not to associate the two together."
"So that's how it is." After knowing the truth that Mo Ran had woven, Paimon stopped asking questions and slowly floated back to the blond boy.
As soon as one person left, another one came. This time it was Zhongli's divine power that transmitted the message. He said with a little relief and a little melancholy, "You should have noticed it, too, right?"
When the man in black mentioned the South Heaven Gate, Morax guessed it to be 70% possible, but he felt reluctant in his heart and was not willing to admit and accept it, so he asked even though he knew the answer.
"Of course!" Mo Ran also replied in a voice transmission, but he used elemental power. "You and he are the only ones in the world who can identify the existence of ore so clearly."
"Well, it looks like the contract made over a thousand years ago will be fulfilled today, but..."
"As the God of Contract, you are troubled by the contract, Morax, you..."
“No need to say more. Anyone who threatens Liyue must be suppressed, even if it’s my old friend, even if it’s him, there will be no exception!” Morax said in the voice transmission: “This is a matter of contract, I should do so.”
Mo Ran sighed softly, thinking to himself: "If I hadn't sealed myself last time, I'm afraid I would have left an indelible shadow on Morax again!"
"But think about it, it's true. Friends who have known each other for thousands of years can't be sealed off just like that. Even if you pretend to be calm on the surface, you will still feel the pain in your heart."
"Alas, even stones have hearts, let alone you, Morax..."