Chapter 102: The Legend of the Ancient Jade Sect Awakens!

After obtaining the Celestial Jade Secret Map, I continued to twist the jade Linglong in my hand. The pattern projected onto the wall began to shift slowly. Through the uneven gaps of the jade piece, the light cast changing images upon the surface.

Within the pattern, a winding jade vein coiled like a dragon among the mountains. The jade vein shimmered as if alive, flowing with a vibrant energy. I gazed intently at the image, a sudden surge of inexplicable excitement welling up inside me.

This time, the one stirred was Pan Ximi!

“This is the Southern Dragon Jade Vein! I know it! My family has an incomplete map… and this matches a portion almost exactly!” he exclaimed.

“The Southern Dragon Jade Vein, you say?”

I couldn’t deny that my own heart raced with excitement at that moment.

The so-called jade vein is essentially a jade ore vein. For anyone hoping to carve out a name in the jade industry, possessing a private mine is crucial.

The Southern Dragon Jade Vein—the name resonates thunderously throughout the jade world.

Legend holds that such a vein is the very marrow of the feng shui dragon vein.

Hence, the finest jade is known as “jade marrow.”

The Southern Dragon Jade Vein is a map documenting every known jade vein in the south, encompassing thousands of years of history.

Moreover, the map projected from this Southern Dragon Jade Vein was remarkably comprehensive.

I saw Pan Ximi’s face tense, his muscles trembling. Clearly, he had never expected this jade Linglong would reveal such a treasure.

His voice trembled as he spoke, “Brothers, we’re about to strike it rich! The God of Wealth is practically collapsed in our home!”

Filled with fervor, Pan Ximi continued, “The Southern Dragon Jade Vein contains records of countless jade ore veins, including many rare ancient deposits. If we can uncover them, we’ll surely stir up a storm in the jade world.”

“Pan Ximi, are you certain this is the Southern Dragon Jade Vein?” Chen Laobao’s gaze burned steadily on him.

Pan Ximi nodded resolutely, eyes gleaming with fanatic light. “Absolutely! That fragmentary map in my family’s possession has been passed down for generations. Though incomplete, its details match this pattern almost perfectly!”

“My old man never imagined that after centuries of guarding that fragment, we would now encounter the original complete version. It’s as if the God of Wealth himself has opened the door and come to us!”

Hearing this, it was impossible for me not to feel stirred.

Just a day earlier, I had faced Hong Jie’s heavy-handed recruitment—and even threats—at her home.

Not to mention, Gao Youde had issued me a final ultimatum.

Tens of millions were no small matter.

“Chief Wang, you truly are the father I lost long ago!” Pan Ximi suddenly blurted out.

I was momentarily stunned, unsure how to respond. Given his age—at least a decade or more older than me—there was no way I could accept such a claim.

Chen Laobao chuckled, a hint of helplessness in his laughter. “Pan Ximi, is this the proud spirit of your old Pan family?”

Pan Ximi replied coldly, “How much is pride worth per pound? Would you buy it?”

“I only want to make money!”

At this, his expression darkened, eyes growing colder.

“Why must our old Pan family’s century-old legacy in the Southern Isles vanish overnight?”

“Because I only know jade, while others build houses and sell land?”

He then turned to me. “Chief Wang, forgive me—I spoke frivolously earlier.”

I regarded his earnest confession with some reservation.

Pan Ximi went on, “Honestly, I had no choice but to return home. I’m drowning in debt in the Southern Isles and have angered the authorities. Their military chief was ready to deal with me!”

“I’ve been back several months now, searching for an opportunity. It wasn’t until I saw that jade-faced fox jade on the market that I realized the legend of the Ancient Jade Gang was awakening!”

Listening to Pan Ximi’s story, I gradually understood the heavy burden he bore.

The fanaticism in his eyes gave way to weariness and resignation.

“Chief Wang,” he drew a deep breath, his tone grave, “I know I tested you earlier and probably left a poor impression. But now, I admit defeat. From this moment, Pan Ximi will follow you, Chief Wang. With this Southern Dragon Jade Vein map, we have hope!”

“If I stick with you, not only can I reclaim my market in the Southern Isles, but I might even swallow up the Ana family’s holdings!”

“The Ana family?” Chen Laobao smirked slightly. “Your old man sure made some powerful enemies.”

Pan Ximi sighed bitterly and nodded. “Yes, the Ana family wields great influence in the Southern Isles. They didn’t engage in jade before, but seeing our family’s profits and their monopoly in construction, they began infiltrating the jade trade, gradually controlling most of the market. That’s precisely why we need this Southern Dragon Jade Vein map. If we find a few key veins, we have a chance to turn the tables.”

I stared at the projection on the wall, silently calculating.

The Southern Dragon Jade Vein map was undoubtedly a vast treasure—but it also meant endless challenges and dangers.

We had to tread carefully if we hoped to gain the upper hand in this game.

Whether Pan Ximi followed me or not was ultimately inconsequential.

The moment I left Hong Jie’s villa, I had ceased to place my hopes on anyone in this world.

If I were to name two people I trusted, they would be Xiao Mi and Hu San.

“Pan Ximi, our priority now is to locate the veins marked on the map. After all, this map is already several centuries out of sync with reality, and its accuracy is uncertain.”

“Besides, even if accurate, some veins may have been developed by others.”

“So we must be diligent and open at least two veins ourselves before making any further moves.”

Pan Ximi nodded, a flicker of determination in his eyes. “You’re right, Chief Wang. Only by finding the actual veins can we grasp the true value of this Southern Dragon Jade Vein map. Otherwise, it’s all just empty talk!”

Chen Laobao agreed. “The map is detailed, but time and change are unpredictable. We need a careful plan to explore these veins step by step.”

I took a deep breath, my gaze shifting over the projection on the wall as a preliminary plan formed in my mind. “We’ll start with the nearest veins and verify the map’s accuracy gradually. Pan Ximi, since you know the Southern Dragon Jade Vein best, the task of leading us falls to you.”

A trace of gratitude flashed in Pan Ximi’s eyes. “Don’t worry, Chief Wang. I won’t let you down.”