Our journey to Gu Yue village came to an end, and I was promptly instructed by the clan head to claim the first prize and then take a well-deserved break to recuperate.
'I remember leaving for Bai Gu Mountain a week ago on a full moon night and today is also a full moon night, The world I currently reside in is so peculiar and unique compared to my old planet, in my previous world it took about nearly 30 days for a full moon night to reappear.
'On a moonlit night in the village,
A teen feels a surge of thrill
He sees the stars and the trees
And dreams of adventures he will.'
'I thought of this poem as I was going to Academy Elders House, In my previous life I didn't read much of poems because of had a better source of entertainment, but I did read some of them, it was nice, it would sometimes stir deep emotions in me and provoke thought, and left me with a sense of connection to the poet's experiences.' Damn, I miss using my phone and laptop, listen to music and all of that stuff, it was fun scrolling through different sites, But what broke me was that I couldn't see my loved ones and my family. It was just so fucking tough for me
At first, I didn't realize what was missing, but once the feelings of isolation and withdrawal set in, they hit me hard. I was shocked by the intensity of these emotions, as they caught me off guard. It was a sobering realization to understand just how much I relied on others in my past life. Yet, I managed to adapt and found excitement in exploring new sources of happiness. This discovery ultimately enhanced my ability to be fully present in the moment.
'Memories flood back,
Longing for lost time and bonds,
Hope for reunion,
Mixed with nostalgia's embrace.'
‘Oh, I thought of a good poem again, but it made my heart even sadder as I knew there was no hope for reunion unless I could get stronger than a venerable, But I know getting that strong is just impossible for me, In my past life, I was never considered exceptionally talented, so the idea of causing a storm in a world that is even more challenging and filled with psychos is an impossible task.’
‘According to the novel, the only ones who would understand me in this world are probably Fang Yuan and Thieving Heaven, But even those two did not have the knowledge that I do, so probably no one would understand me in this world… ever.’
As a 15-year-old teenager, I can't help but wonder if it's the raging hormones of this body within me that are clouding my judgment, suddenly making me feel so sad, sudden anger at times and I even feel horny many times in a day,
I remember how I stuffed marshmallows up that girl's asshole, and then proceeded to fuck the marshmallow deeply inside her and then upon finishing inside her big ass. I remember how she me dead in the eye and asked me to eat those Marshmello right after she evacuated the contents inside of her on some biscuits. Ah... that crazy woman.
She tried to forcefully feed me those biscuits, with a crazy look in her eyes, but alas, even when we were both high, I was stronger, so her plan ended up backfiring and resulted in me feeding her those cum soaked biscuits.
Haha! Fun times. Isn't it true that this world have slaves? I will be able to fulfil my unfulfilled desires. I want to jump with joy every time I remember that. Ah! My thoughts wandered off again, one wrong choice can leave me in a worse position than a slave.
Sigh... I need to stay on track. This world can be unforgiving to those who are vulnerable, yet rewarding to those who are strong. The choice is mine to make, and I must put in the effort to secure a good future for myself.
As I thought all of this I found myself in front of the academy entrance.
While maintaining a consistent pace, the clan head and Hwang Gu embarked on a leisurely stroll towards the majestic clan pavilion.
Hwang Gu said to the clan leader," I have eyes, but I failed to see Mount Tai, I apologize for doubting the clan leader about Fang Zheng being too special," Hwang gu continued "...But clan leader, I checked his aperture, and he still doesn't have 100 percent aptitude, It is just 95% A-grade, though that is a great aptitude, but he is definitely not an extreme physique."
"Absolutely, your observation is spot-on, but the wealth of information he possesses can only be attributed to gen 1 ancestor. It is clear that his understanding of the clan's dynamics is a direct result of his lineage. He seems oblivious to The fact that he is not an extreme physique. Just because he is not currently a 100% aptitude Doesn't mean he won't be in the future, past instances have demonstrated that individuals with above 90% A-grades have the potential to evolve into extreme physique as their aptitude naturally increases. It is entirely possible that his aptitude will continue to rise until it reaches 100%. The remarkable speed at which he is able to cultivate is indicative of a future extreme physique. Even if he does not reach 100% aptitude, investing Primeval stones in him is a worthwhile decision, as he has displayed gratitude and kindness in his actions."
Fifteen minutes later, in the clan academy.
The academy elder had long gone to bed, but in his dreams, he could vaguely hear the sound of somebody knocking on the door.
He was awoken by the noise, and he opened his eyes, rather displeased. "Who is it outside there in the middle of the night?" Instantly a voice replied in a respectful tone, "Reporting to sir elder! It is a student from this year's batch" He has already finished refining the Moonlight Gu. You have instructed your subordinates earlier to report to you the very instant the first name appears, no matter what time it is."
"Well… That indeed happened." The academy elder frowned, and then he got off his bed.
As he put on his robes he asked, "Which student is it that got number one this year? Is it Gu Yue Fang Zheng?"
The subordinate outside the door replied, "It seems so. The moment I heard the news I hurried over here to tell you about it, sir. It seems to be someone from the Fang family branch."
"Hehe, counting the time, it is probably him." The academy elder laughed lightly, confidently saying, "Who else could it be besides the A-grade talent genius? All those B-grade talented students would still be worse even with the help of primeval stones. Or else why would the grade of cultivation of talent be so important?" As he said this he pushed the door open and came out.
Outside the door, his subordinate respectfully bowed, moving two steps backward. "Sir is right," he echoed.
Congratulations on successfully refining your gu worm. Your rewards of primal stones will be given to you when the academy reopens in 10 days. Now, prove to me that you have refined the gu worm. In response, I revealed the blue Light in my palm to him, and he responded with a smile and a nod.
"Good work, As expected of an A-grade. Keep working hard like this and learning well. Now go and rest in your dorms." Said Academy Elder.
"May I ask for the bigger dormitory room for myself instead of those six primeval stones I will get as a reward?" I asked.
“That room is specifically set aside for the class chairman, and you can only occupy it once you have been appointed to the position. If you'd like to stay there for a week as a special reward for refining your gu first, you'll receive the largest room in the dorm, which is much bigger than the others. I'll arrange for some guards to assist with moving your belongings.”
...
Leaving the academy, I made up a quick excuse about grabbing a meal and some drinks at the inn before making my way towards the mountain foot. With my contributions to the clan, it was no surprise that they would keep a watchful eye on me to ensure my well-being. so I would have guards hiding around me constantly from that day onwards.
As I stood at the foot of the mountain, the cool breeze brushed against my skin, carrying with it a sense of anticipation and excitement. After a quick scan of my surroundings to confirm I was alone, I cautiously made my way towards the entrance of the cave, eager to uncover the gifts I worked hard for many years.
As I stepped into the mouth of the cave, the memories of burying both gu worms beneath the round rock flooded back to me. The cave felt damp and cold as I ventured inside, my footsteps echoing off the walls. The memory of burying the gu worms by the round rock flooded back to me, a mix of nostalgia and curiosity.
I felt a rush of emotion before I began to dig the soil. It was loose so I did not spend much effort. After digging for around an inch deeper, there was a peculiar fragrance rushing into my nostrils.
"This fragrance is thick and luxurious yet not common, it is delicate and elegant." While digging, the area under the soil suddenly emitted a faint dark gold light.
"It really took a long time!" Fang Zheng's eyes shone, his hand movement becoming more delicate, carefully digging the surrounding soil away, expanding this hole. After a while, a dark gold-colored flower bud that was buried under the ground appeared in front of him.
It was two inches deep in the ground, around the size of a stone mill, the bud's surface delicate and with the dark gold color, it appeared to be mysterious and elegant.
"It is the Earth Treasury Flower Gu that I buried a year ago!" Seeing this, Fang Zheng breathed out deeply.
He was not eager to peel away the flower petals, but took a rest on the ground instead, wiping the soil off his hands. Then he slowly stretched his hand and pried open the dark gold-colored petals.
The Earth Treasury Flower Gu was like the combination of lotus and kale. Its petals were tightly knitted together with numerous thick pieces, slippery when felt. As I opened the petals one by one, it was like revealing thick layers of silk.
Once it left the main body, the huge dark gold-colored petals would disperse quickly. It was like snowflakes that melted into the air. After uncovering around fifty to sixty pieces of petals, the bud had shrunk in half, revealing the flower core. The core's petals were smaller and thinner, its texture becoming more smooth and fine. It was no longer like silk, but more like thin pieces of paper. My movements became gentler and slower, only opening a piece of petal in a few breaths.
The petals became increasingly transparent, and after a while, when I had opened the pieces of thin paper-like petals, I stopped my movements. The Earth Treasury Flower Gu at this moment only had a last layer of petals left. These petals overlapped each other, forming a fist-sized ball. The petals were translucent, thin as paper. Inside these petals contained a golden liquid and in the middle of this liquid, Gu worms were sleeping inside.
I approached the flower cautiously, feeling the warmth radiating from its core. With bated breath, I leaned in closer until my breath gently brushed against the delicate petals. The spherical flower core responded to my presence, quivering slightly as if stirred by an unseen force. Within its golden liquid, I sensed a subtle movement, a sign of life pulsating within.
Gu worms, fragile creatures that they are, require sustenance to survive. Only a select few can seal themselves off from the world, preserving their vitality for a time. Over the years, Gu Masters like myself have devised numerous methods to protect and nurture these elusive creatures, ensuring their continued existence in our world.
The Earth Treasury Flower Gu was one of them. It was a two-time use type Gu, and once implanted on the ground, it could not be moved. Its food was simple, which was earth energy. As long as it was planted on the ground, it would be able to survive with sufficient earth energy. It only had one use, and that was to contain Gu within the flower heart and immerse the Gu in the golden liquid. This golden nectar could to an extent, imitate the sealing state and let Gu worms fall into hibernation.
I stretched out a finger and peeled the remaining petals carefully, revealing an opening. The golden liquid flowed out along his finger, feeling like soybean oil. The flower core began to soften with the loss of the golden liquid. Fang Zheng moved his finger and the petals were split, allowing him to retrieve the slumbering Gu worms.
I opened the Earth Treasury flower gu and in that were my gu worms that I worked very hard for. There were two gu worms inside, one looked like a ladybug and another looked like a silkworm.
There was a cute ladybug. Only the size of the thumb's fingernail. Its body was a milky white color, and if overlooked from the back, it was like a circle. Its head only occupied a small area, while the rest of the body was its large fat stomach and bright shiny exoskeleton. Its six tiny limbs were also cream-colored, hidden under its stomach.
There was also the Liquor worm shaped like a silkworm, its entire body giving out pearl-white light. It was a little chubby and had a cute appearance. The Liquor worm fed on wine and could fly. When it flew around, it would curl up into a ball, and its speed was very fast. Even though it was only a Rank One Gu, it was worth even more than a few Rank Two Gu.
"Liquor worm and White Boar Gu!" Fang Zheng showed an expression of joy on his face. The liquor worm was something that I stored in it at the age of 14.
'Ah!… it was so hard for me to steal wine from uncle, twice every month and give it to liquor worm for an entire year. Only after sealing it last year was I able to relax.' The earth treasury flower gu is useless now, I will have to feed both gu after I refine them. It will be good if I am able to make the arrangements needed for them in the upcoming days.
The inheritance is blocked by a huge round rock, only after I increase my strength with the white bore gu will I be able to push the rock back and take the rest of the inheritance.
The academy is closed for 10 more days from today for students to refine, but I already have refined my gu worm, so for 10 days I will refine both gu and get "that thing" done and cultivate as much as possible. As I was walking towards the inn, I looked up at the sky.
The sky was not yet bright, and the sun had yet to rise. The east sky just began to turn bright, the dark colors in the sky slowly fading away, the smell of the night still remaining in the air.
The streets were empty, and then came the sounds of quick footsteps. The early dawn mountain air was moist, yet Gu Yue Fang Zheng did not feel the slightest cold rush; my heart was full of surging enthusiasm. My face blushing red, and now I was walking swiftly toward the inn.
'Ah, I can finally have some good food! I have been eating roasted jerky for the last seven days; After eating, I went to the academy hid both gu worms and laid down on my bed.'
'Wow, this was the longest and most tiresome week of my second life.' I thought as I closed my eyes and went into the sweet embrace of sleep, singing 'Hello darkness, my old friend' in my mind.
As time went by, the sun climbed higher.
The academy bulletin wall had posted a new name list, and on the list was just one name – Fang Zheng. Following the appearance of this list, the news gradually spread out.
After hearing the news, all those young students who had been bent on refining their Gu at home after receiving the news were a little sad.
"How can it be like this! This is too fast, I have barely refined 30% by now."
"It is Fang Zheng who got number one, make sense since he is an A-grade talent."
The Mo branch family home.
The greenery in the courtyard was overflowing, the fragrance of tea dancing about.
One of the clan elders of the Gu Yue clan, Gu Yue Mo Bei was sitting in front of his desk, looking at the spring scenery outside his window. He leisurely drank his tea and said, "Mo Bei hasn't continued refining his Gu?"
The housekeeper standing at a side hurriedly replied, "After he heard about news concerning Fang Zheng in the afternoon, young master Mo Bei seemed to be deeply affected and has no mood to continue refining the Moonlight Gu. It is a pity, young master Mo Bei was just so close to succeeding. Actually, Fang Zheng refined his gu worm way too fast. So young master Mo Bei lost his interest, it can't be helped."
"Hmph! Do not excuse him." Gu Yue Mo Chen snorted coldly, his face stern and his tone hard, "A Gu Master's cultivation process is full of hardship each step, what is a small setback like this? Fang Zheng is an A-grade and gu master talent is of great importance in refining gu, so that is how he could snatch the top. If Mo Bei can't see through this and let such a small setback get to him, then how is he supposed to be in charge of our Mo family branch in the future, how can he compete with the Chi family branch?
No one is allowed to advise him, let him think about it by himself!"
"Yes, master." The housekeeper did not dare refute.
…
Almost at the same time, in the home of the Chi family branch.
"Sigh, Gu Yue Fang Zheng…" The clan elder Gu Yue Chi Lian gave a long sigh, his brows held down in a frown as he thought, waving his hand around. "Someone, call young master Chi Chen over please."
In a moment, Gu Yue Chi Chen walked into the room with a lost expression, kneeling down with respect, "Your grandson greets his grandpa."
"Seems like you already know about the news," Gu Yue Chi Lian stared at his only direct grandson, his tone gentle. He slowly said, "I called you over to prevent you from getting influenced by this matter. You see, when refining the vital Gu, firstly one looks at the talent, secondly at the Gu worm."
"Fang Zheng’s talent is A-grade, he was going to gain number one place either way, but he was able to gain number one this early. This means that the Gu he chose -compared to all the Moonlight Gu your peers have – has a bit weaker will. This is due to luck and his natural talent. So my grandson, do not be discouraged, this is nothing really. He is an A-grade talent, though he has better aptitude than you, but his supply of resources is not as well as yours. His road to advancement will be easier than yours, but you can surpass him, If you work harder."
"Hence you should put away this matter and focus on refining gu, Do you understand?"
"Yes, thank you for your advice, grandpa. I understand. I will go now and continue refining my Gu!" Gu Yue Chi Chen had lost the sad expression on his face, replacing it with a high-spirited will to fight.
"Mmm." Elder Gu Yue Chi Lian nodded his head, satisfied. A kindly smile emerged from his face and he said, "Good grandson. While your talent is only C grade, but you can be rest assured that grandpa will fully support you. Later on, I will come out and use the aura of a Rank three Gu worms to suppress your Moonlight Gu's will and help you refine this Gu!"
