22 RI

The golden full moon hung in the sky, the drifting clouds casting a gloomy shade.

There were desperate battles going on outside the village and the bright moonlight was great news to the Gu Masters in the dark night.

Wolf corpses piled up in the traps and were already reaching the midpoint of the wall. This gave a good platform to move on for the charging lightning wolves.

Some ordinary lightning wolves jumped, clawed and even directly leaped across the wall.

However, these lightning wolves usually fell or staggered due to the height disparity and were immediately disposed off by the standby Gu Masters.

At this time, Fang Yuan was standing on top of a tower, along with many other Gu Masters; they were endlessly throwing out moonblades and other attacks at the wolf packs.

In the whole battlefield, these towers were the most important source of damage. The combination of the Gu Masters and the towers had eliminated a large number of bold lightning wolves.

"Kill, kill, kill. Annihilate these wolves!"

"Nana, I will take revenge for you!!"

"Persevere, just a bit more. The clan's safety lies in our hands."

The surroundings were a cacophony of noises; some people were madly screaming, some were shouting revenge, some were shouting in pain, and some were shouting slogans.

Fang Yuan indifferently stood there, his hand tossing out moonblades occasionally while continuing to observe the battlefield.

Although there was a bright moon, the visibility couldn't be compared to daytime after all. The three frenzy lightning wolves were at the rear, unmoving; their figures indistinct.

As long as they were unharmed, the lightning wolves were just cannon fodders and even bold lightning wolves were only high level sacrifices.

Suddenly!

A frenzy lightning wolf unhurriedly took a step forward, it opened its large mouth and threw a thunderball.

Rank three thunderclap Gu.

This thunderball was not big, it was only the size of a millstone. However, a large amount of eerie blue electricity was condensed in it and its speed was strangely fast.

Almost immediately, the thunder ball fiercely collided with the tower Fang Yuan was on.

The progress of the fierce battle had been in a deadlock, many Gu Masters were mindlessly fighting and they were not able to react to the thunderball.

Water Shield Gu, White Jade Gu!

Fang Yuan was only able to put up his defense before white light covered his sight.

BOOM!

The huge sound from the explosion nearly ruptured his eardrums.

A formless force erupted out from the explosion and sent him flying.

The devastating thunder destroyed the water shield within two breaths of time. The surplus electric current struck Fang Yuan and even with the White Jade Gu's defense, he still felt bursts of numbness.

Bang.

He fell to the ground from a height of three to four meters. White Jade Gu was not the Raiment Gu; it couldn't lessen the force on impact. Fang Yuan's back hurt all over.

He quickly got up from the ground, his eyes repeatedly blinking as teardrops fell from it.

After three breaths of time, he slowly recovered his sight.

The tower that had been built with thick stones was half-destroyed. There were many burnt black corpses scattered around on the ground. The thunderball attack had opened a huge hole on the outer wall, and an unending stream of wolf packs charged into the village like a tide.

The frenzy lightning wolves finally entered the battlefield!

Thousand beast king level strength was extraordinary.

The many Gu Masters that were around Fang Yuan in the tower just a moment ago were completely dead, some left without intact corpses. Only Fang Yuan alone had survived.

The jellyfish-like Water Shield Gu appeared very dull inside his aperture.

If the water shield was continuously destroyed many times, the Water Shield Gu would also be damaged and could even perish.

White Jade Gu was also in a similar state.

Gu worms were strong and yet fragile.

Take this Thunderclap Gu for example; its thunderball was very powerful and fast, also difficult to resist. But it also had a weakness — it couldn't be used repeatedly and needed some time before the second thunderball could be shot out.

BOOM!

But Fang Yuan had just stood up when another thunderball flew over.

"To think this wolf king has two Thunderclap Gu on it!" Fang Yuan's complexion turned pale and he hurriedly dodged.

He tried not using the Water Shield Gu and only relied on the defense from the White Jade Gu.

"Beast, stop your insolence!" At this critical timing, a figure appeared in mid-air, golden light bursting out from the figure as he resisted this thunderball.

The elders had made their moves!

However, one elder was still not enough. Soon, the elder was joined with two other elders.

A frenzy lightning wolf needed at least three groups with great teamwork to join hands, or at least three Rank three Gu Masters to face it.

The frenzy lightning wolf took heavy steps forward, emerging from the indistinguishable wolf packs, as the surrounding wolves gave way.

It gradually started from a slow run, and then got faster and faster, charging at the village wall with its head lowered.

Seeing this scene, all the Rank one and Rank two Gu Masters fled in terror.

Only those three elders still remained on their spots.

Everyone tacitly vacated this part of the battlefield and left it to them.

The intense battle between the three elders and this frenzy lightning wolf unfolded.

Not long after, the other two frenzy lightning wolves also charged towards the village; opening another two battlefields.

Nine elders and three frenzy lightning wolves formed into three great battlefields. Thunder and lightning burst out everywhere, destroying the bamboo buildings. Most of the Gu Masters or the lightning wolves who were caught in these three great battles didn't have a good end.

Lighting wolf packs were still charging towards the village, but Fang Yuan didn't fight anymore and moved to a corner of the battlefield, observing the three great battle stages from a distance.

No doubt, the attacks from these wolf packs had reached the climax.

"Three frenzy lightning wolves; one has two Thunderclap Gu and has high offensive power; another has Thunder Wings Gu and can fly for a short moment, giving it very high flexibility in the battle; another holds the Thunder Roar Gu and can kill its enemies with the soundwaves." Fang Yuan slowly got the details on these three frenzy lightning wolves after observing for a moment.

A thousand beast king usually has three-four Rank two and a Rank three wild Gu worm residing on it.

The Gu Masters could give proper response as long as they were clear on these Gu worms. Once the frenzy lightning wolves suffered targeted attacks, with their low wisdom, they wouldn't change their monotonous attack styles, and the battle outcome was certain.

Sure enough, soon the several elders retreated and other elders replaced them.

With the mutual coordination between them and superior tactics, they were soon able to occupy the upper hand. After a short moment of intense battle, they controlled the battle situation.

Victory was only a matter of time.

"The outcome is set." Just when Yao Ji puffed out a sigh, a roar sounded out from the eastern gate.

A lightning wolf was growing bigger, from the size of a normal lightning wolf - as if air was blown inside it - it swelled up to a size of an elephant.

"There is actually another frenzy lightning wolf!" Many elders were alarmed at this scene.

Their attention had all been on the three battle stages. As their entire battle formation was heavily emphasized on these three areas, the forces at the eastern gate was somewhat thin and weak.

"Not good, Yao Le is still there!" Yao Ji suddenly turned pale, and she immediately shot out towards the eastern gate.

"Eh, to think there was still such an unforeseen event. This frenzy lightning wolf should have a Rank three Aura Restraint Gu; it used this disguise to mix in with the lightning wolf packs and deceive the Gu Masters at the eastern gate."

Fang Yuan observed carefully; the situation at the eastern gate was far from good.

A frenzy lightning wolf suddenly appeared and directly smashed the eastern gate, creating a huge hole.

Countless lightning wolves flocked behind the bold lightning wolves, howling savagely as they charged into the village.

Gu Yue Yao Le was numb with fear as she saw the lightning wolf packs charging in like a tide.

Fortunately, she had veterans like Xiong Jiao Man beside her. At this critical timing, Xiong Jiao Man took it upon herself to control the scene and ordered, "Quick, close the doors and the windows. We need to defend this place till the reinforcements arrive, and only then will we have a fighting chance!"

She had just finished speaking when - BANG - the roof of the bamboo building collapsed under the attack of the frenzy lightning wolf.

Gu Yue Yao Le screamed. The abrupt twist in events had caused her to lose her composure.

She was after all too young and only had Rank one cultivation. She had stubbornly stayed here because she felt safe and had never thought she would fall into such a dangerous state.

"Brute beast, stop at once!" Gu Yue Yao Ji shouted while frantically running.

She helplessly looked as the frenzy lightning wolf rammed into the bamboo building. Her beloved granddaughter was in a dangerous situation but even though she had the power, she couldn't help her because it was beyond her reach.

At this dangerous moment, it was again Xiong Jiao Man who stepped forward.

She willed in her mind and her remaining brown bear charged towards the frenzy lightning wolf with a roar.

The frenzy lightning wolf swatted with its right paw, sending this four-hundred-kilogram-over brown bear flying.

It opened its mouth and bit the brown bear's head to pieces. How could an ordinary wild beast resist a thousand beast king level's strength?

Xiong Jiao Man took this time when the frenzy lightning wolf was tangled up with the brown bear to rush out with Gu Yue Yao Le in tow, managing to pull apart a small distance.

The frenzy lightning wolf roared. It naturally wasn't willing to see its prey run away like this. It leapt and crossed a dozen meters at once, landing in front of Xiong Jiao Man.

Suddenly seeing this frenzy lightning wolf appear in front of her, Gu Yue Yao Le's legs went soft.

Xiong Jiao Man dragged her but didn't dare to rush forward recklessly; she could only change her direction and run towards the outside of the village.

The frenzy lightning wolf was just about to pounce on them when Gu Yue Yao Ji arrived and threw a light purple moonblade at the wolf's back; the moonblade quietly changed into a ball of miasma and bore into the frenzy lightning wolf's nose.

The frenzy lightning wolf immediately coughed twice; it was poisoned!

This was the Rank three Moon Poison Gu.

The frenzy lightning wolf was furious, and it raised its head and roared; its fierce roar formed into an invisible force and smashed into the surroundings.

Thunder Roar Gu used the vibration of the soundwaves to kill, but this was not Thunder Roar Gu - it was the Soundwave Gu which formed invisible pushing force.

Xiong Jiao Man and Gu Yue Yao Le were sent flying into different directions by this pushing force. Xiong Jiao Man struck a bamboo building; no more movements could be seen from her, whereas Gu Yue Yao Le was sent flying past the broken eastern gate and out of the village.

The fall stunned her and as she tried getting up, she saw a lightning wolf opening its bloody mouth and trying to bite her.

Aah—!

She gave a shrill scream and at this critical juncture, a moonblade flew over and killed this lightning wolf.

She hurriedly stood up and saw the benefactor who saved her; he was a young male Gu Master. The lower half of his body had been buried under the collapsed wall. @@novelbin@@

The male Gu Master vaguely smiled at her with his blood-drenched face; the next moment, his throat was ripped open by the swarming lightning wolves.

Tears flew down Gu Yue Yao Le's face, and she cried as she ran.

This part of the battlefield was extremely chaotic.

Because of Gu Yue Yao Le's identity and background, there were Gu Masters who helped her out from time to time. But they were powerless to even protect themselves, much less help her out of this predicament. Gu Yue Yao Ji was also tangled up with the frenzy lightning wolf and couldn't attend to her.

Gu Yue Yao Le was perplexed and fully at a loss within; there were only the images of claws and teeth of the lightning wolves in front of her. In her frantic state, she suddenly heard a voice speak, "Move a step back!"

She subconsciously followed the voice and was able to luckily avoid a lightning wolf's bite.

"Roll to the right." That voice came again.

Yao Le's consciousness was still blank, but her body had already made the move. There was a snapping sound of a wolf's mouth; she had escaped the bite by a hair's breadth.

The voice arrived unceasingly and the young girl meticulously followed them. There were mistakes made sometimes, but at those times a moonblade would fly over from seemingly nowhere and get her out of the trouble.

Only when there were no more lightning wolves around her, did Yao Le discover that she was already safe.

It was only when she had unconsciously drifted far away from the village and was in a remote forest.

A human figure appeared in front of her.

Her eyes immediately opened wide, "Gu Yue Fang Yuan, you were the one who helped me?"

"No, I am only helping myself." Fang Yuan grinned, revealing an evil intent.

-x-X-x-

"What?" Gu Yue Yao Le was shocked when she heard this.

Fang Yuan had already struck at lightning speed, his hand chopping her neck! She fainted immediately.

The young girl fell down helplessly, and Fang Yuan's hand quickly moved, holding her by the waist. Next, he activated the Stealth Scale Gu, and their bodies vanished on the spot.

When Gu Yue Yao Le woke up in a sleepy state, she found herself in a dark mountain cave.

She shrugged her head, trying to stand up subconsciously.

But she soon found out that her arms were tied behind her back, the rope looped around her neck; she was tied tightly on a large rock.

All the Gu worms on her body had been plundered away by Fang Yuan, refined and turned into his.

She was merely a fifteen year old young girl — with that frail body, how could she break free from that thick ropes wrapped a few times around the rock, even tied with knots?

Being trapped in this remote and unfamiliar place, the young girl started to feel frightened.

She thought about the moment before she had fainted; even the most naive person would also know that Fang Yuan was going to do something bad to her.

"But how would Fang Yuan deal with me? What is he planning to do? Is it because I complained about him to grandma, thus he is taking revenge?" The young girl was tied helplessly, but her thoughts quickly flipped like pages of a book.

The more she thought, the more frightened she got, and she started sobbing uncontrollably.

"Grandma, where are you? Quickly come and save me..." As she cried, she felt an intense fear and loneliness.

Fang Yuan was nowhere to be seen, and the cave was filled with her cries.

"Is Fang Yuan planning to trap me here? For seven, eight days, and make me suffer in hunger, so I will never speak ill of him again?" After crying for a while, Gu Yue Yao Le thought of a possibility.

Too evil!

Fang Yuan, I will never forgive you!!

She gritted her teeth as her impression of Fang Yuan, which was bad from the start, fell into negatives.

Since her birth, Gu Yue Yao Le had not hated a person so much.

At this moment, footsteps were heard.

Soon, Fang Yuan's silhouette was seen emerging from the shadows.

"Fang Yuan, what do you want, let go of me now! Otherwise my grandma will deal with you." Seeing Fang Yuan, Gu Yue Yao Le struggled intensely, her slim legs stomping on the ground like a small deer that fell into a trap.

"You sure are lively," Fang Yuan coldly snorted.

Gu Yue Yao Le was about to open her mouth and continue crying in a rage, but she soon saw a large bear moving behind Fang Yuan.

"B-bear..." Her widened eyes showed shock as she stuttered.

Fang Yuan laughed coldly, stretching out his hand and caressing the bear's black fur, his voice filled with coldness that flowed in the cave like ominous winds, "Because of the wolf tide, it was not easy to find such a wild bear, it took me lots of time and effort to find it."

Gu Yue Yao Le reacted instantly. Her quick-witted thoughts soon remembered that Fang Yuan had once taken a Bear Enslavement Gu from Xiong Jiao Man.

"So that's it..." She laughed coldly and was about to speak, but Fang Yuan suddenly squatted in front of her.

"What are you doing?!" The young girl tried to move away, but Fang Yuan easily used his right hand and grabbed her cheeks firmly.

"Such a cute appearance, lovable indeed," Fang Yuan plainly commented.

Swoosh!

His right hand moved quickly, grabbing Yao Le's shirt, and pulled.

The shirt was instantly torn, showing her pink undergarment.

"Ah—!!!" The young girl was stunned momentarily before shrieking loudly, frantically struggling. Even though her tender muscles bled due to friction from the ropes, she couldn't care less.

Fang Yuan laughed coldly, continuing to pull and tear her clothing apart.

Rrrrrip.

Soon, the young girl's ragged garment was only left with a few torn strips of cloth, showing off large areas of her milky, delicate flesh.

"No, no!" She was extremely frightened, crying out loudly. As she thought of all the various possible ways Fang Yuan was going to deal with her, her whole body shook and trembled.

However, Fang Yuan did not continue on as she expected, but instead he stood up and moved backwards.

The young girl's loud cries turned into sobbing.

But at this moment, the black bear moved its paws, and got closer. @@novelbin@@

The young girl was frightened as her iris shrunk into pin-size, for at this moment, she felt an intense sensation of death.

Whoosh!

The bear paw struck, and the sound of it breaking air could be heard.

With a crisp sound, the young girl's skull was hit, and the intense force broke her thin neck.

Her head was twisted at a creepy angle, broken and hanging on one end.

One moment ago, she was still an alluring beauty, and the next moment she was a corpse. Her warm body tied to the huge rock, was like a broken toy doll.

At this moment, even without Fang Yuan's control of the Bear Enslavement Gu, with its craving for food, the black bear had already lowered its head, enjoying this sumptuous meal.

It first started to gnaw at the young girl's throat, and fresh blood immediately bubbled out, splashing onto its black fur.

Next was the young girl's white and tender breasts, like flower buds that were unopened.

The black bear bit on her right breast in one whole mouthful, tearing away the skin and flesh, exposing her deathly pale ribs.

At this moment, the black bear used its paw to break these bones. The young girl's internal organs were crushed, and immediately blood poured out endlessly.

Without the skeleton's interference, the black bear placed its mouth further into the girl's body. It nipped at the girl's heart that was still beating, then proceeded to swallow it in one mouthful.

The heart passed through its throat and into the stomach, and this bear that had to hide around and couldn't eat due to the wolf tide, howled out in satisfaction.

After another cry, it lowered its head again and started to consume her internal organs wantonly.

Chomp chomp chomp.

The black bear's mouth opened and chewed, large amounts of blood gushing out from its mouth, issuing a watery sound.

After a good while, the black bear finally moved its head out.

The young girl's chest was already empty, the immense injury extending to her stomach. But towards the shining, white intestines, the bear did not seem to have much interest.

It started to focus on the young girl's white slim legs.

The girl's jade-like fingers were all bitten away by the black bear at once, and with a few rounds of chewing, the fingers were swallowed with a crisp sound.

The girl's thighs were also a delicacy.

The tender skin and flesh of her thighs emitted a virgin fragrance. When the bear had finished, all that was left was the white leg bones.

Among the swaying movements, the girl's skull finally dropped onto the ground.

To be honest, she did have a cute appearance. Those black lustrous eyes with a round nose slightly pointing up, and her skin blushing like peach blossoms, with a small mouth and two rows of white clean teeth.

But now, her face had lost the colour of blood, her skin turning deathly pale. Her fine black hair was left hanging, covering half of her face, with those pair of eyes staring wide-open, filled with fear and anger.

A death full of grievance!

NOTE: The following is religious text that may make no sense to most, but read it with a pinch of salt.

Fang Yuan folded his arms as he observed Gu Yue Yao Le's expression, thinking of a Buddhist saying on earth: 'Without a sense of self, without a sense of person; to be detached of all living things, detached of the sense of time. Void is the red skull and white bones, skin and flesh!'

I am namely myself, without individuality. Breaking the sense of self, realizing that one is common and ordinary. 'Without a sense of self' means 'everyone is equal, there is no difference.'

Man is humanity no longer treating humans as a superior race and demeaning other living beings. 'Without a sense of person' means that 'the world is equal, there is no difference.'

'Living things' refers to all life, no longer recognising life as superior and thinking that non-living beings like rocks and water have cognition. This is ' detached of all living things' , which means 'all in the world is equal, there is no difference.'

Any object or creature has their respective lifespan, and ' detached of the sense of time' namely means 'regardless of whether it exists or not, they are all equal without difference.'

No matter how beautiful the guy or girl, they eventually turn into a skeleton. Bones, skin and flesh are one, but people favoured skin and flesh while fearing bones — this is being fixated on appearance, not recognising that all is equal.

This Buddhist term is calling for humans to break through all forms, seeing the truth.

Beauty is superficial, and people, me, the world, and time, is all superficial. If one goes past the superficial aspect, they would see Buddha.

Recognising and going beyond, treating all as equal, all is equal.

Thus, Buddha sacrificed his body to feed tigers, cutting off his flesh to feed eagles. This was the benevolence in his heart, seeing all in this world as his own, loving everything, and his great love for everything.

No matter if it's me, others, animals or plants, or even the lifeless rocks and water, even those that do not exist, we have to love them.

If a mortal standing there watches the bear eat a person, some hot-blooded teenager would jump out and scream, "You beast, don't you dare eat a person!" or "Beauty, do not fear, uncle is here to save you!" etc.

This was the mortal's love and hatred, loving young girls and hating large bears. Not going beyond and still fixating on the superficial, not able to see her red human skeleton.

If Buddha stood there and watched the bear eat a person, he would sigh, chanting, "If I do not enter hell, who would enter?" He would save the young girl and feed himself to the black bear.

This was Buddha's love and hatred, loving the young girl and loving the bear, treating all as equal.

But right now, Fang Yuan was the one standing here.

Seeing the young girl's tragic and violent death, his heart was unmoved.

This was not because of his numbness to death, but he had gone beyond the superficial, having no obsessions. Without a sense of self, without a sense of person; to be detached of all living things, detached of the sense of time...

Seeing all living things as equal, the world is equal.

Thus, the girl's death is no different from a fox or a tree's death.

But to a mere mortal, the girl's death would trigger their anger, hatred, and pity. If it was the girl eating the bear, they would not feel anything. If an old lady was eaten, the pity in their hearts would be greatly reduced. If it was a villain, a murderer getting eaten, they would clap their hands in joy, praising.

In actuality, all beings are equal, and heaven and earth is just.

Nature is fair, disregarding love or hate; it is emotionless, and never gives differential treatment.

Rule of the strong, victor takes all!

The disappearance of a lifeform, towards the entire natural realm and the infinite cosmos, to the long river of history — what does it amount to?

Death means death, who can choose not to die? What talk about a girl, bear, ant, fox, tree, old lady, murderer, they are all lowly! Humble! Mongrels!

Only by recognising this and going beyond the superficial, arriving at the truth, does one gain divinity.

This divinity, taking a step towards the light, it becomes Buddha. If it takes a step towards the darkness, it becomes a demon.

Demonic nature!

-x-X-x-

An hour later, Gu Yue Yao Le was almost completely eaten by the black bear.

The black bear was unwilling to eat the intestines and the girl's brains, but Fang Yuan did not want that to happen.

According to the Man-beast Life Burial Gu's recipe, a wild beast must consume the entire person up to the tiniest scrap for the greatest effect. This can ensure success to the greatest rate.

To refine this Man-beast Life Burial Gu, about ten ingredients are needed.

And the most important two, are man and beast.

The human has to be a virgin girl, and has a Gu Master's aptitude. Furthermore, she has to be at least C grade talent, but of course A and B grade would be better, and can greatly enhance the chances of success.

This beast refers to the Beast Enslavement Gu. The Bear Enslavement Gu, Wolf Enslavement Gu, Tiger Enslavement Gu etc, even Deer Enslavement Gu or Bull Enslavement Gu can work. However only bears, wolves and tigers - these carnivores have it easier eating meat. Otherwise, if forcing a herbivore like a deer or bull to consume this human, the Enslavement Gu's manipulation would be required to force them to do so.

After the beast consumes the human, the refinement has to begin immediately. Otherwise, when the beast digests the person's bones and meat, the refinement would no longer be possible.

Seeing that the black bear refused to eat Yao Le's intestines and brain, Fang Yuan snorted in displeasure and willed in his mind, activating the Bear Enslavement Gu that was planted in the black bear's body.

The black bear growled, and under Fang Yuan's oppression, was forced to swallow the intestines and brain. At the same time, it broke the girl's bones to bits and swallowed them piece by piece.

The bone shards were sharp and pointy, but under Fang Yuan's control, it swallowed them and many of the shards stabbed into its mouth and throat, the pain causing the huge bear to tear up.

But Fang Yuan only strengthened his control, and the bear's body was no longer under its own control.

Seeing the black bear stuffing the spine into its throat, Fang Yuan knew the time was ripe.

He flicked his finger, and a Single Aperture Charcoal Gu flew out.

The Gu worm flew into the black bear's mouth and burrowed its way in.

The black bear suddenly cried out painfully, as the Charcoal Gu's power was burning its internal organs.

The black bear's body was shuddering intensely; it cried painfully and wanted to roll around on the ground, but the Enslavement Gu had a steady grip on its movements.

After burning for fifteen minutes, Fang Yuan's finger moved again and three Kerosene Gu flew out.

The Kerosene Gu was a Rank one expenditure-type Gu, and upon entering the black bear's body, it exploded into large amounts of kerosene and intensified the fire burning inside the black bear's body.

The black bear cried until its throat was dry, but Fang Yuan timed it well and threw several more Gu worms out into its body.

These Gu worms were all exchanged using merit points.

The black bear laid on the ground, completely motionless.

A moment later, from its eyes, ears, nostrils and mouth as well as its butt, small sparks of flames were seen. Then, the fire got bigger and quickly enveloped its entire body, turning it into a giant fire pillar.

The entire dim cave was lit up by this fire.

But this fire was not the usual orange, but instead an eerie blood colour.

Fang Yuan patiently waited for a moment, until the fire was about to extinguish, then he threw out the final Gu.

This was a Rank two poison Gu.

Throwing it into the fire, an intense reaction occurred.

A white lump of light emerged from the fire, initially only fist size. @@novelbin@@

Fang Yuan quickly took out primeval stones from his money bag and threw them into this light lump.

The white lump digested the primeval stones and became bigger.

After throwing up to a thousand primeval stones, the light was around the size of a room door, and then suddenly shrunk.

Huff!

The fire on the bear's corpse extinguished at once, and the cave returned to darkness, while a Gu worm wobbled its way to Fang Yuan.

Man-beast Life Burial Gu.

Rank three, expenditure-type Gu.

It looked like a black spider with furry long legs, but it had the head of a bear, and on its back there was a blood coloured tattoo, drawing the outline of a young girl's beautiful face.

This was Gu Yue Yao Le's face.

It resembled a smile yet wasn't, it looked like a crying face and yet was not, but she seemed to be staring at Fang Yuan with a gaze filled with utter hatred!

Fang Yuan laughed heartily, not minding it at all.

Death is the end of all, even in life she was merely so, what more can she do to Fang Yuan after death?

He opened his mouth with no hesitation and swallowed this Man-beast Life Burial Gu.

The Man-beast Life Burial Gu moved along his throat into his esophagus, turning into a black and red mix of water flow.

The water flowed from above, like an inverted heavenly river, pouring into his aperture.

Entering the aperture, this gush of black red water entered the red steel primeval sea immediately.

At once, the entire primeval essence was turned into an eerie black-red colour, filled with the smell of blood.

Fang Yuan's thoughts moved as he activated this black-red primeval essence, rushing it towards the aperture walls.

10%, 20%, 30%, when 38% of the primeval essence was expended, the aperture had a loud boom as the white crystal walls broke into pieces.

What replaced it was an entirely new round ball-shaped light membrane aperture wall.

At this moment, Fang Yuan advanced to Rank three!

But Fang Yuan did not loosen up, and instead forced the remaining black red primeval essence out of his body.

This primeval essence was not usable, and if injected into Gu worms, they would die. If left remaining inside the aperture, the longer it stayed, the more it would pollute the light membrane aperture walls, and cause one's aptitude to decrease.

After expelling all of the black-red primeval essence out of his body, he grabbed a primeval stone and started to recover his primeval essence.

First, a white silver fog appeared, then it condensed into water droplets, finally forming his white silver coloured primeval sea.

For a Gu Master, Rank one is green copper primeval essence, Rank two is red steel, and Rank three is white silver.

But this white silver primeval sea was not pure, as there was a trace of black-red mixed in — this is the side effect of using the Man-beast Life Burial Gu.

Fang Yuan was not surprised. He calmed his mind and expelled this white silver primeval essence out of his body, before forming new primeval essence.

The second time round, the black-red coloured substance was reduced by half.

But Fang Yuan was not satisfied, and expelled his white silver primeval essence again, forming new primeval essence for the third time.

After several tries, the black-red substance was reduced to a barely observable amount, and even if Fang Yuan attempted more tries, this substance would remain.

This was an unavoidable consequence of using the Man-beast Life Burial Gu.

The Man-beast Life Burial Gu's effect was extraordinary, able to turn a Rank two peak stage Gu Master with no hopes of advancing his entire life, into a Rank three. This was literally changing fate, thus there had to be some imperfection.

Getting rid of this black-red substance, there was a method. The most common would be to use the Cleansing Water Gu.

Cleansing Water Gu can completely wash away impurities in the aperture; it appeared once in the tree house, but was bought by the Chi faction.

In this short term, Fang Yuan could do nothing about the black-red substance.

...

"You bunch of useless idiots, what are you all doing! Not able to find such a large, lively person?!" In the medicine hall, Gu Yue Yao Ji flew into a furious rage, and her screaming caused even the window lattices and curtains to tremble.

In her heart, she was worried, frightened, anxious and enraged.

It had been three days and three nights, the four frenzy lightning wolves were exterminated and Gu Yue village was relatively safe at the moment. But her granddaughter Gu Yue Yao Le was nowhere to be seen.

Even after she mobilized all her relationships and combed the battlefield, there even being large-scale search parties around the village, there was still no trace of her.

The ones who saw Gu Yue Yao Le for the last time were the battling Gu Masters. What they saw was — Gu Yue Yao Le falling into the encirclement of the wolves, and had to run away frantically, in a worsening predicament.

These showed that Gu Yue Yao Le was not in an optimistic situation, most likely consumed by the wolf packs.

But Gu Yue Yao Ji was indignant.

She could not accept such a cruel truth.

If it was any other girl, so what if they die. But this was her own blood-related granddaughter, someone she had nurtured since young to be the inheritor of her medicine faction!

She was so well-behaved and intelligent, loved by everyone. So lively and cute, bringing others joy.

These days, Gu Yue Yao Ji could not sleep at all, for in her mind, it was all images of her granddaughter.

Gu Yue Yao Ji had originally maintained her looks well, but in these three days, she seem to have aged over ten years. It was like her heart was dug away, and she felt an endless pain of emptiness.

In her screaming, tens of Gu Masters lowered their heads, enduring the cruel insults of the old woman.

"Reporting to medicine hall clan elder, this subordinate has something to report." At this time, a Rank two Gu Master walked in.

"What! Is it news about Yao Le?" Gu Yue Yao Ji's eyes shone, asking quickly.

"Someone advanced to Rank three, the clan leader is holding an elder meeting at the clan leader pavilion, to confirm the situation." The Gu Master quickly reported.

Gu Yue Yao Ji's eyes dimmed, waving her hands, "Not information about Yao Le, and still disturbing me? Wait... wait, what did you say... Someone advanced to Rank three and became a new clan elder?"

Halfway through, she reacted and lightly frowned.

This was too sudden, with zero premonition.

The appearance of a new clan elder would influence the entire Gu Yue clan's political situation. This was a huge hit on the medicine faction who has lost its inheritor.

In the medicine hall, the standing Gu Masters started to discuss among themselves, guessing the identity of the new clan elder.

Gu Yue Yao Ji frowned, asking immediately, "Who advanced to Rank three?"

"Reporting to Lord Yao ji, it is Gu Yue Fang Yuan," the Gu Master answered.

"What? It's him!" At once, Gu Yue Yao Ji's iris shrunk; this was the worst of news to her.

In the hall, the Gu Masters also started to discuss violently.

"They couldn't have made a mistake could they, to think it's Fang Yuan?"

"Isn't he a C grade talent? How can he become a Rank three Gu Master so quickly?"

"Once he's Rank three, he will be a clan elder, a higher-up in the clan. When we see him next time, we have to bow and greet him!"

"How can this be.... This is literally soaring through success!"

"Earlier, didn't they say he's dead? He went missing for three days and three nights, and his corpse could not be found on the battlefield. We thought he was eaten by lightning wolves already..."

They were stunned, jealous and confused.

"Missing for three days and three nights, without a corpse on the battlefield, isn't this the same as Yao Le's situation?"

Gu Yue Yao Ji's ears twitched, and her woman instinct caused her to have intense suspicion towards Fang Yuan for no reason!

She suddenly changed her mind; she is going to the clan leader's pavilion.

-x-X-x-

"He has truly advanced to Rank three!"

"This Rank three aura is genuine, and there is the white silver primeval essence; there is no mistake."

The atmosphere in the clan hall was solemn.

The clan head Gu Yue Bo was sitting on the highest seat, with many elders seated in rows by his left and right.

Whispers could be heard here and there, and dozen of people's attentions were more or less gathered on a young man who was standing upright in the center of the hall with his head held high.

The young man was Fang Yuan.

"To think this Fang Yuan advanced to Rank three."

"If I hadn't personally seen it, I would never have believed it....."

"Doesn't he only have C grade aptitude? How could he advance so suddenly?"

"Actually, it can't be said to be sudden. Did you forget that he obtained two red steel Relic Gu?"

"Right, it was two whole Relic Gu, they can completely raise his cultivation steeply. Just thinking back when I cultivated, sigh....."

The group of elders were both amazed and puzzled; this matter had caught them completely unprepared.

"This Fang Yuan was able to advance to Rank three! He is merely of C grade aptitude, but could actually have such accomplishments in this short time. This is really a surprise." Gu Yue Mo Chen who was seated on the frontmost seat in the left row exclaimed inwardly.He thought of two-three years ago, when Fang Yuan was still in the academy, and killed a servant of his family.He had already forgotten the name of this servant. But the minced corpse Fang Yuan sent over had left a profound impression on him.

From that day, he saw Fang Yuan in new light, but didn't expect much from him due to his aptitude.

Now, this young man actually had such accomplishments!

According to the clan system, all Gu Masters who advanced to Rank three were new elders.

A new elder was bound to have a huge impact on the old political structure.

"If I had recruited him before, I would be able to use this impact and gain political dominance. Sigh, it really is a pity....." Thinking of this, Gu Yue Mo Chen couldn't help but glance in front of him.

His old rival Gu Yue Chi Lian was seated on the frontmost seat in the right row. Right now he had a gloomy expression and obscure light flashed in his eyes.

"This Fang Yuan definitely has secrets on him. Although he had the help from the two red steel Relic Gu, he couldn't have had advanced to Rank three so fast, this is something even Qing Shu couldn't accomplish," Gu Yue Bo was also pondering.

He unavoidably thought of his adopted son Qing Shu, and sighed.

Were Gu Yue Qing Shu alive, he might also have Rank three cultivation by now. Unfortunately, reality is cruel.

"Medicine hall elder Lord Gu Yue Yao Ji has arrived—!" At this moment, the doorguard suddenly announced loudly.

Following his announcement, an old woman walked in through the door. Her face was pale and filled with wrinkles, but under her weary eyelids were extremely sharp eyes that locked onto Fang Yuan in an instant.

Gu Yue Yao Ji spoke as she walked forward quickly, "Fang Yuan, you advanced to Rank three? I don't believe it! I will personally verify it, let me inspect your aperture!"

The aperture was a Gu Master's most important secret and was also their personal affair. How could they let others inspect it so easily?

Fang Yuan slightly turned his body and looked at Yao Ji who was walking over. He replied with a sneer, "Gu Yue Yao Ji, on what basis are you demanding to inspect my aperture?"

Back then, when he had just begun cultivating, his aperture would be inspected at fixed intervals by the academy elder. But it was different now, he was already a Rank three Gu Master, someone who was on equal footing with other elders like the academy elder and the medicine hall elder.

Moreover, it was very simple to verify one's cultivation.

White silver primeval essence couldn't be faked easily, and similarly, his Rank three aura was a fact.

"Outrageous! You, a junior dares to call me by name?" Yao Ji's eyes widened, "Why can't I inspect you? With my identity as the medicine hall elder and also as your elder, I have the right to do so!"

"Hmph, old hag, calling you by name is giving you respect. I still have yet to settle the scores between us. You harbored a grudge towards me when I didn't sell you my Liquor worm, and actually wanted to plunder my Nine Leaf Vitality Grass? Hmph, I also wanted to exchange my merits for that Three Step Fragrant Grass Gu, but you prevented it in the dark. Now, I am also a Rank three Gu Master, so you had better stop putting on airs!"

Fang Yuan's eyes were narrowed and his words sharp as a blade. He was very clear-cut with his words, completely showing off his hostility towards Yao Ji.

If he said this with a cultivation of Rank one or Rank two, he would definitely be suppressed and even attacked. However, the situation was completely different now; he was a Rank three and his position was already equal to the elders.

Towards Fang Yuan insulting Gu Yue Yao Ji, the other elders' strategy was to wait and see.

Being at a high position, their considerations were profound. Even if they weren't born shrewd, the years of political struggle had trained the shrewdness in them.

They didn't have much understanding of Fang Yuan, so they could take this opportunity to observe him.

"Brat, you have the cheeks to slander me!" Gu Yue Yao Ji was furious due to the humiliation. What Fang Yuan said was true, but why would she admit it in front of everyone?

The elders present were all silently observing the situation unfold. Most of the elders present here knew of the matter regarding the Nine Leaf Vitality Grass and even had transactions with Gu Yue Yao Ji.

However in politics, there are only eternal benefits; never eternal enemies or eternal friends.

Upon hearing Gu Yue Yao Ji retort herself, Fang Yuan coldly laughed and didn't reply.

Gu Yue Yao Ji's sound echoed and lingered within the hall.

This old woman was slightly trembling, this silence made her feel like she was alone!

Something had changed.

The situation was no longer the same.

Were Fang Yuan to be a Rank one or Rank two, these elders would immediately jump out to stand on Gu Yue Yao Ji's side and unitedly punish Fang Yuan. The authority of higher-ups absolutely didn't allow the lower levels to challenge it!

However, Fang Yuan was Rank three now, and even if the clan head hadn't officially announced it, his position as an elder was already set in stone. Thus, his contradiction with Gu Yue Yao Ji was now the internal conflict between higher-ups.

Fang Yuan was a newly advanced elder, his foundation were not yet deep and didn't have any background, but this was also his strength as he had nothing to lose in the first place, thus having no fear.

By contrast, Gu Yue Yao Ji was old and though she was in control of medicine hall, had a high position and broad connections, this was also her weakness.

She was old and she couldn't afford to lose. Her medicine faction's inheritor Yao Le was missing and the enormous assets she controlled were coveted by many.

It would not be bad if it were peaceful times, but now was the time of the wolf tide and even elders had the possibility of dying.

Things were turbulent, newcomers climbed up in position and old timers stepped down.

This was a time of change, there weren't any elders that could guarantee their own safety. Even the clan head could fall down.

In the history of Gu Yue clan, the number of clan heads that died in a wolf tide weren't few.

As for the elders, they couldn't even guarantee their own safety, so unless there were enormous benefits involved, they wouldn't meddle in other people's fights.

Gu Yue Yao Ji felt like the situation had turned thorny.

The hall was silent.

Due to the matter regarding her granddaughter, she hadn't slept for three days and three nights. Right now as she stood there, she felt an invisible pressure shrouding her body and mind and it caused cold sweat to form on her forehead.

She felt like a crippled old wolf, standing alone in the wolf pack.

The surrounding wolves were standing in the shadows, observing her through their deep, dark green eyes.

Fang Yuan who was in front of her was like a stoic wolf who had revealed its brilliance in the battle. He was so young, energetic and also ambitious.

It really was the saying — Old waves push the new waves forward, and a new generation replaces the old!

At this moment, Gu Yue Yao Ji felt that she had really aged. Very much so!

Her eyelids jumped even more severely as her imposing aura gradually lowered.

However, Gu Yue Yao Le's figure appeared in her mind; she forcefully opened her blurred eyes, her aura increasing suddenly.

She opened her mouth, "Fang Yuan, why did you disappear for these three days? If you hadn't shown up, your name would have been listed in the casualties announcement in the medicine hall, in the list of the Gu Masters who died in battle. You disappeared for three days and three nights, and when you come back, you are already a Rank three Gu Master. What happened during these days? Heh heh, I believe everyone here is interested in your explanation."

After realizing she could no longer easily create troubles for Fang Yuan, her tone became more mild, no longer as forceful as before. However, her words were still very strong, with treacherous intentions hidden within.

After all, she had the highest seniority as a high-ranking politician!

The elders' eyes brightened when they heard this, revealing clear interest. No one was a fool among those present here, Fang Yuan's sudden advancement to Rank three was indeed strange.

His C grade aptitude was after all known by everyone.

Gu Yue Yao Ji's words brought those elders to stand by her side again.

However, since Fang Yuan dared to return so grandly, he naturally had made preparations.

Under everyone's gazes, he raised his head and laughed, "Old woman, what you want to know, am I obliged to tell you? However... hearing the pitiful news of your granddaughter's death, I will benevolently tell you. During the past few days, I have been in closed door cultivation in Elder Chi Lian's manor, trying to breakthrough to Rank three. This point can be verified by Elder Gu Yue Chi Lian!"

"What?" Gu Yue Yao Ji revealed a startled look.

Other elders were also shocked, all kinds of complicated expressions appearing on their faces.

Immediately, everyone's gazes were cast towards the gloomy-faced Gu Yue Chi Lian.

The Chi faction head, who held one of the two most powerful influences in the Gu Yue Clan, now appeared so gloomy that water could drip out from him.

However in front of everyone's gazes, he knew he needed to give an explanation, thus he reluctantly replied, "It is indeed so. I can testify that Fang Yuan has been in a closed door cultivation in a secret room in my manor during these past few days."

The instance these words came out, the whole crowd went in an uproar.

The elders possessed deep restraint, they wouldn't lose their bearings and make a scene. However, there were many whispers and mutterings.

"To think Gu Yue Chi Lian actually had relations with Fang Yuan!"

"Fang Yuan's advancement is related to Chi Lian?" @@novelbin@@

"There is a great probability! Didn't people speculate that Fang Yuan had someone supporting him from behind the scenes? To think it was the Chi faction."

"Maybe the reason for Fang Yuan's fast cultivation speed is because of Chi faction pouring resources to him. Fang Yuan is Fang Zheng's older brother, Elder Chi Lian's actions have a very profound meaning."

Some elders discussed whereas some elders' mind were flipping over.

"It turns out this Fang Yuan wasn't a junior with no one to guide his steps, he has the help from Chi faction. We need to be cautious towards him in the future."

"Fortunately, we didn't interfere and jump into the fight between Fang Yuan and Yao Ji."

"Yao Ji is in a dangerous predicament, she wanted to deal with an elder who didn't have any backing, but she could never have had expected that his background was so solid. It's actually the Chi faction!"

Gu Yue Yao Ji's face was very pale. When she had heard Gu Yue Chi Lian confirming it, she took a step back in shock, her whole body trembling faintly.

Opposing a lone elder compared to an elder backed by the Chi faction, these were two utterly different concepts!

-x-X-x-

Gu Yue Mo Chen's heart was very heavy.

He had planned to recruit Fang Yuan, but stopped himself due to Fang Yuan's aptitude.

But now his old rival Gu Yue Chi Lian actually got affiliated with Fang Yuan already. All the evidence points to Chi Lian providing support for Fang Yuan since over a year ago.

Now, his investment had received such a great reward, and the Chi faction has a new clan elder. How can his heart not be heavy?

Except, other than solemness, Mo Chen was also confused.

He was Gu Yue Chi Lian's old rival, having competed since they were young. He had such a good understanding of his rival that he even knew what colour of underwear his rival liked to wear.

Logically speaking, Gu Yue Chi Lian would've started gloating by now, throwing mocking and smug glances towards Mo Chen. But right now, his face was grim like he had suffered an injustice.

This was too strange!

Just what had transpired between him and Fang Yuan? What sort of agreement did they reach?

Gu Yue Mo Chen could not get an answer.

"This Fang Yuan, his guts are greater than the heavens, to think he would actually threaten me!" Gu Yue Chi Lian's heart was filled with anger and perplexity.

Last night, Fang Yuan had secretly approached him and used the matter of 'Gu Yue Chi Cheng's fake aptitude' to threaten him.

Heavens!

How did this important secret that only he, Gu Yue Chi Lian and his grandson Chi Cheng knew about, come to the knowledge of this outsider Fang Yuan?!

Gu Yue Chi Cheng was only a C grade talent, but for the sake of the Chi faction's benefits, Chi Lian had to take a risk and show a facade of Chi Cheng being B grade.

If this matter was exposed, its impact towards the Chi faction would be unforeseen. The Chi faction family head's integrity would be questioned for his cheating personally, and this would ruin his reputation completely. More importantly, the Chi faction inheritor is only a C grade, this means that the Chi faction would have no political outlook anymore. Who would be dumb enough to rely on this type of faction?

Fang Yuan knowing this secret, was equivalent to grasping the fatal weakness of the Chi faction.

When Fang Yuan threatened him, Gu Yue Chi Lian almost couldn't control himself from attacking and eliminating this threat on the spot!

But he forcefully stopped himself, as he did not know who else got ahold of this secret, and whether Fang Yuan told anyone or left behind any paper evidence at some secret location.

"Pacify him first, understand the situation, then eliminate him! I cannot leave this threat hanging!" That was his thought at the time.

But soon after that, Fang Yuan displayed his Rank three cultivation.

Chi Lian, while shell-shocked, could only change his plan to cooperation.

Rank three is a clan elder, and if he murdered a clan elder, this matter would just be as serious as cheating.

Furthermore, fighting against a Rank three Gu Master would take some time, and the commotion it creates is even harder to deal with.

Falling out with Fang Yuan would not have any benefits for the Chi faction — in fact the risk was even greater.

"Although Fang Yuan has a hold on me, a shared secret is also a form of collaboration." Finally, Chi Lian could only convince himself to comfort his heart. Fang Yuan's threat was so sudden, so he could not tell how many safety nets Fang Yuan had in place, thus he could only go along with it.

But now, Fang Yuan fearlessly implicated him, letting him attract the attention in Fang Yuan's place, it was really throwing him under the bus!

However, even if Gu Yue Chi Lian knew this, what could he do?

This time, Fang Yuan slowly spoke again, "Gu Yue Yao Ji, I know your heart is in a mess now. Yes, that B grade talent granddaughter of yours is dead, and without a proper corpse, your medicine faction is now without an inheritor. But a C grade talent like myself advanced to Rank three instead, so you feel anxious and indignant, thus your fury is directed at me. I understand that."

"What did you say?!" Gu Yue Yao Ji stared widely, uncontrollable anger rising, "You little wretch, I'm telling you Yao Le is not dead."

Fang Yuan laughed loudly, shrugging nonchalantly, "Her matter of life or death, what does it have to do with me? Yao Ji, you don't have to emphasize that."

"But!" He suddenly twisted, "Gu Yue Yao Ji, in order to find your granddaughter, you assembled search parties and wasted much human and material resources. That concerns me, the clan elders here, and even the clan leader. Gu Yue Yao Ji, letting you lead the medicine hall, that is because of our trust. But what have you done? You dispatched the medicine hall's healing Gu Masters out to search for your granddaughter, leaving those injured and crippled Gu Masters in distress. You are too selfish! Yao Le's sacrifice, it is indeed the clan's loss. But you further worsened our loss, you are not fit to be our medicine hall clan elder at all!!"

Fang Yuan's words hit the nail on the head, tearing at Yao Ji's weakness, her pain. @@novelbin@@

But what he said, was very true.

Upon hearing Fang Yuan's words, many clan elders started frowning secretly.

Whose faction did not have injuries? Gu Yue Yao Ji's actions were indeed overboard, dispatching Gu Masters on her own and not attending to the urgent business at hand, but instead searching for her granddaughter.

"You... you!" Gu Yue Yao Ji was so angry her body was trembling, her finger pointing to Fang Yuan, unable to say another word. Her eyes were like blowing fire, having a strong urge to strangle this bastard Fang Yuan on the spot.

Fang Yuan's gaze was cold and indifferent, staring at her with no fear.

He was returning the favour to her. Gu Yue Yao Ji's earlier words were all righteous and caused the many clan elders to get curious about Fang Yuan's secret to advancing, causing a huge commotion. Fang Yuan's words were the same, and with reason backing him, standing at the highest point of the clan rules, it caused the clan elders to subconsciously defend him.

To the clan elders, protecting the clan's rules were akin to protecting their own interests.

Gu Yue Yao Ji's actions these days did infringe on their interests!

"This Fang Yuan... bastard! Fucking bastard!" Gu Yue Yao Ji shuddered, not knowing that Gu Yue Chi Lian was also angered to the point of fuming.

Fang Yuan was offending Gu Yue Yao Ji to the limit, and her hatred towards him will also spill to the Chi faction since Fang Yuan was now 'a part of them'.

But the truth was, Chi faction is innocent!

Was he, Gu Yue Chi Lian a fool? Why would he offend Gu Yue Yao Ji who is the most senior and has the greatest social network.

Gu Yue Chi Lian subconsciously shrunk his body, praying in his heart: May the other clan elders not direct the attention to himself. Fang Yuan doing this, is his own idea, it has nothing to do with the Chi faction!

But Fang Yuan's next sentence, broke this illusion of his to smithereens.

He turned around and reported to the clan leader Gu Yue Bo, "Clan leader, I highly doubt Gu Yue Yao Ji's ability to continue leading the medicine hall. I suggest, we temporarily revoke her title of medicine hall clan elder and hold a thorough assessment of her. Each one of the clan's healing Gu Masters are precious to us. We cannot let her waste them like this. Otherwise, the ones that suffer the most are the brave Gu Masters that fight using their lives for our precious clan!"

Pausing momentarily, he continued, "This suggestion of mine, elder Chi Lian is also very supportive of."

"What?!" Gu Yue Yao Ji's iris shrunk as her face changed colours.

"What?!" The clan elders were all taken aback. To hear of Gu Yue Chi Lian's forthright attitude like this, does it mean that he was unhappy with Yao Ji from long ago and has been lusting after the huge benefits in her possessions, wanting to get a piece of the pie?

"WHAT?!" As the person in question, Gu Yue Chi Lian nearly jumped from his seat.

How could he not be angry?

He was going to go crazy from Fang Yuan's antics!

This Fang Yuan had not only offended Gu Yue Yao Ji, he even dragged him into the boat.

His original political intent towards the medicine faction was closeness and cooperation. But now, his efforts were all thwarted by a single sentence from Fang Yuan!

Fang Yuan was framing and harming him. In front of the person himself, framing, harming, and spreading false rumors!

But he, Gu Yue Chi Lian, the grand Chi faction family head, was held hostage by Fang Yuan, and had no way to fight back!!

"Oh, Elder Chi Lian, you support this?" Gu Yue Bo's gaze shone as he asked.

Gu Yue Chi Lian gritted his teeth, slowly getting up.

He stiffened his neck, resisting the urge to look at Fang Yuan; he was afraid he could not control his rage.

At this point, he can do nothing to Fang Yuan, and can only carry on the show.

"Revoking Yao Ji's title, this is Fang Yuan's sole idea. With the threat of the wolf tide, suddenly changing people is not appropriate. However, I do agree that elder Yao Ji has deviated from the role of the healing Gu Masters due to her personal feelings. If these efforts were placed into the right areas, it would reduce our clan's loss to a great extent."

Saying so, his heart was bleeding.

He would definitely not follow through with what Fang Yuan said, as he had his own interests in mind. These words, he had already exerted the greatest effort to find a balance between Fang Yuan and Yao Ji.

But even so, after he finished speaking, he heard a thump.

He turned his head around and saw that Gu Yue Yao Ji had vomited blood out of her intense anger, and fell on her back.

It's over!

"I've completely offended Yao Ji!" At this moment, Gu Yue Chi Lian felt like he had fallen into a chasm, his heart icy cold.

"Lord Yao Ji!"

"Someone, quickly diagnose her."

"She just lost consciousness, it's not an emergency. Lord Yao Ji had not rested at all for these three days and three nights, her body and mind is exhausted and needs to rest."

The hall was in a mess, but slowly quietened down.

Gu Yue Yao Ji was carried away by a stretcher.

She was already old, and had worried for so many days. With a weakened heart, now that she was triggered by both Fang Yuan and Chi Lian, adding on to her misery, it was no wonder that she fainted.

"Lord Yao Ji had led the medicine hall for so many years, she had worked hard for so long, she is truly tired. Letting her rest is also for her own good. Now that she is unconscious, the medicine hall cannot be without a leader. I advice that we let Fang Yuan take over," Gu Yue Chi Lian suddenly said.

This old man stood before his seat. Seeing Gu Yue Yao Ji being carried out, his eyes shone coldly.

Since he had already offended her, then why not go the entire way and continue the mistake! To prevent the medicine faction's revenge, he might as well suppress them entirely. This is someone in power, the resolve and wisdom of an expert in politics.

The hall fell into temporary silence.

Yao Le's death, Yao Ji's downfall, it showed that the medicine faction was on an imminent decline. The cruelty of politics is even more heartless than the wolf tide.

Fang Yuan was silent as well.

Letting him be the medicine hall clan elder, heh heh, Gu Yue Chi Lian was only saying it casually.

Letting a newly advanced young clan elder to hold such an important role. Maybe if the clan elders and clan leader were all retarded.

Gu Yue Chi Lian saying this intentionally, had deep meaning.

As expected, in the next moment, Gu Yue Bo declared, "The medicine hall's role shall temporarily be held by elder Chi Zhong. Fang Yuan's cultivation has indeed reached Rank three, thus according to the clan rules, he shall also assume the role of clan elder. Send out the news, and let the entire village rejoice."

Saying so, Gu Yue Bo stood up and left.

"Congratulations, congratulations..." After the clan leader left, the clan elders all walked towards Fang Yuan, cupping their fists with faces full of smiles.

Fang Yuan cupped his fists as well, replying with a warm smile.

-x-X-x-

"Congratulations, congratulations."

"Elder Fang Yuan is young and promising. You are definitely a role model for the young generation!"

"Haha, we truly anticipate Elder Fang Yuan's brilliance as we work together from now on."

The group of elders surrounded Fang Yuan and spoke customary words.

The academy elder stood at the edge of the crowd, his expression complicated as he looked at Fang Yuan.

He had never expected Fang Yuan to become an elder. In his class, he had been most optimistic of Fang Zheng, and then Chi Cheng and Mo Bei.

But to think that the one who was the first to achieve success, was actually Fang Yuan!

"How could these little achievements of mine compare to the elders? I still need to thank the clan's teachings for today's achievements. Academy elder, I have always engraved your words in my heart," Fang Yuan had a warm smile on, and he spoke modestly and prudently.

The academy elder hadn't expected this punk to take the initiative to greet him.

He was blank for a moment before a gratified expression appeared in his face, "Looks like you have matured a lot in these years, Elder Fang Yuan. Keep up the good work, I am proud of your achievements. The clan needs new blood like you."

Fang Yuan sincerely thanked the academy elder again and also replied to the other elders.

With his five hundred years of experience, putting on such an act was very easy.

He had a sense of propriety, his words were gentle and his attitude was humble, making all those who heard him feel like they were basking in spring breeze.

Gu Yue Chi Lian was indifferent at this scene, but the more he observed, the more frightened he became. This Fang Yuan knew how to deal with the situation adequately, and every sentence and word were as if spoken by a veteran. Was he really just in his teens? Could he be a born politician?

The academy elder was astonished too. He thought of the academy times; Fang Yuan was so rebellious, even exploiting his own classmates. He had countless headaches due to this, but the current Fang Yuan seemed to have completely changed.

On the contrary, Gu Yue Mo Chen wasn't baffled by Fang Yuan's behaviour. After all, he already had a taste of Fang Yuan's schemes.

Right now, as he looked at Fang Yuan's cultured and gentle behaviour, becoming a focal point of the crowd, he kept on sighing that Gu Yue Chi Lian had made a great move.

The exchanges continued on for some time. But, regardless of what thoughts the elders had, the ones present there couldn't help but look at Fang Yuan in a new light. They continuously sighed that rumors were really unreliable!

In the end, Fang Yuan tactfully rejected some of the elders' invitations and left the clan head pavillion with a smile together with Gu Yue Chi Lian.

"Hmph, are you satisfied now? After pulling down Gu Yue Yao Ji, you even dragged my Chi faction into hot water!" When they reached the study room, Chi Lian couldn't pretend anymore, and the smile on his face was replaced by fury.

Fang Yuan was sitting in front of him and leisurely smiled, "You need to thank me for this. Gu Yue Yao Ji is down, this is a great benefit to your Chi faction." @@novelbin@@

Gu Yue Chi Lian's gaze flashed, "Hmph, young man, your thoughts are too simple. Chi Zhong is my Chi faction's member but his wife is of Yao faction. The clan head appointed him as the temporary medicine hall elder precisely because he wants to balance out the internal strife between my Chi and Yao faction. You, how did you find out about Chi Cheng's matter?"

At the end, Gu Yue Chi Lian suddenly asked this.

He closely watched Fang Yuan with a gaze like that of an eagle's.

Fang Yuan unconcernedly shrugged his shoulders and said, "Old man, I don't have much primeval stones on me left, give me three thousand primeval stones."

Bang.

Gu Yue Chi Lian fiercely slammed the table; he lowered his voice and roared, "Fang Yuan! Don't even think that you can extort my Chi faction just by knowing that secret. I am old and don't have long to live, so at worst I will just give up my life! Hmph, I can accept cooperating, but I will absolutely not receive any threats!"

"I won't allow what happened today to happen again! If you recklessly make enemies and pull my Chi faction into your mess, you will regret it! You really think that secret can destroy my whole Chi faction? Heh, don't be so naive."

Fang Yuan didn't reply, his gaze was ghostly as he let Gu Yue Chi Lian continue to berate him.

When Gu Yue Chi Lian had slammed the table, his aura was astonishing like that of a tiger, but as he continued to speak, his aura started getting weaker and weaker and in the end, he appeared to be in deficiency of energy, showing a lack of confidence.

Only when he no longer spoke did Fang Yuan leisurely smile and say, "Old man, don't get so angry. I am indeed short of money recently, and I am not asking these three thousand primeval stones for free, I am just borrowing them. I can even sign the receipt for loan."

Gu Yue Chi Lian snorted, he spoke slowly, "You won't lack primeval stones, you have just become an elder and don't know the preferential treatment the clan gives to the elders. As long as you are an elder, you will receive a hundred primeval stones every week. This is the amount you receive in ordinary times, but as this is the time of the wolf tide, you will receive three hundred primeval stones as allowance."

"Not only that, you can also freely take a Rank three Gu worm. Similarly, the clan's Rank one to Rank three recipes will be opened to you. You can choose any recipe that you like and refine your Rank three Gu worm. There are also other privileges, for example: Ordinary Gu Masters can only marry one wife, but an elder can have one wife and two concubines."

"So that's it." Fang Yuan knew this of course, but he pretended it was the first time he heard it.

"But even if it is so, I still want to borrow three thousand primeval stones. You also know that I just advanced to Rank three. Refining a Rank three Gu worm consumes a great amount of primeval stones," Fang Yuan 'sincerely' said.

Gu Yue Chi Lian reflected on this.

He pondered, "With Fang Yuan's identity as an elder, he wouldn't go so far as to not pay his debt. Does he not want his reputation? If in case, he dies in the wolf tide, then wouldn't my three thousand primeval stones go in waste? Wait, won't it be better if he dies? We can continue to hide the matter regarding Chi Cheng's aptitude. But how did he learn this secret? Is there still anyone else who knows of it? I had better lend the money to him first and lower his guard, then I can probe his secret."

As he thought up to this point, Gu Yue Chi Lian didn't insist anymore and immediately took out a brush and paper.

Fang Yuan wrote the receipt for loan and signed with his fingerprint.

Gu Yue Chi Lian called his butler and gave some orders. Soon, several money bags full of primeval stones were brought over.

Fang Yuan weighed each money bag and didn't find any problems.

He truly needed these primeval stones.

He had almost spent all his savings in refining the Man-beast Life Burial Gu. These three thousand primeval stones could be considered a timely assistance.

He had just advanced to Rank three. He needed to refine a Rank three Gu worm. Only then could he truly possess the battle and survival ability of a Rank three Gu Master.

He already had a rough plan regarding this. Three thousand primeval stones might not be enough. However, it wasn't urgent, and the Chi faction would be his great money farm.

The primeval stones he borrowed this time was only the start. If it happened once, it will happen twice; first time is difficult, but subsequently gets easier.

As for paying the debt, hehe....

Fang Yuan wasn't in a hurry to leave after getting these primeval stones, but instead smiled, "I still want to borrow something."

"Don't go overboard." Gu Yue Chi Lian was grim, but in the end, he still said, "Speak, what is it?"

"Cleansing Water Gu," Fang Yuan's' eyes narrowed as he said candidly.

There was a Cleansing Water Gu on sale previously in the caravan, and if you consider who was most likely to purchase this Gu, it would be Gu Yue Chi Lian.

He used his own primeval essence to nurture his grandson's aperture and advance his cultivation. This led to there being mixed auras in the aperture, which needed to be purified by the Cleansing Water Gu.

"That is impossible!" Gu Yue Chi Lian firmly refused.

He indeed bought that Cleansing Water Gu, but he prepared this Gu for his grandson Gu Yue Chi Cheng. If he wanted to buy it again, he could only rely on fate.

"Don't refuse me so fast." Fang Yuan laughed, "I believe you - Lord Gu Yue Chi Lian, the head of Chi faction - know which is more important, a Cleansing Water Gu or Chi faction's reputation."

Gu Yue Chi Lian's face darkened completely, the aura around him turning cold as he fiercely looked at Fang Yuan, gnashing his teeth, "Fang Yuan, know what you are trying to do. You are blackmailing me, blackmailing the head of the grand Chi faction!"

"No, no, this is not a blackmail, it is a discussion. I am only borrowing the Cleansing Water Gu and will return you a new one in the future. I can sign the receipt of loan for this too," Fang Yuan chuckled. However, his tone was firm and it showed his determined will.

"Don't even imagine it!" Chi Lian's attitude was also firm.

...

After an hour, Fang Yuan walked out of the Chi family manor with three thousand primeval stones and a Cleansing Water Gu.

And Gu Yue Chi Lian was sitting in the study room, looking at the two receipts - written by Fang Yuan - on the table. The indignance in his heart was like a surging river, overflowing endlessly.

Fang Yuan had a hold on Chi faction which put Chi Lian in an extremely passive situation, thus his victory was reasonable.

Three days later.

Fang Yuan sat cross-legged on the bed, white light shining upon his face.

A white ball of light was floating in mid-air — the fusion process had reached its end stage.

Fang Yuan used his consciousness to maintain the ball of light while throwing primeval stones into it.

The ball of light suddenly faded away and a whole new Gu worm flew into Fang Yuan's palm.

Its appearance was like a big ladybug. Its semi-circular milky white carapace was decorated with dark spots.

It was quite big, about the size of an adult's fist.

Rank three Sky Canopy Gu!

"I've finally succeeded." Fang Yuan satisfiedly nodded his head, this was his second time trying this fusion.

The Sky Canopy Gu was refined from the fusion of Rank two White Jade Gu and an aqua defense Gu.

In the first try, Fang Yuan used the Water Shield Gu and White Jade Gu. But the fusion ended up a failure, resulting in the death of the Water Shield Gu.

The aqua defense Gu he used this time had been exchanged with his battle merits.

However, this Sky Canopy Gu wasn't Fang Yuan's first Rank three Gu worm. His first Rank three Gu worm was directly obtained from the clan.

After advancing to Rank three and becoming an elder, the clan would bestow them with a Rank three Gu worm.

Fang Yuan used this chance to pick a Thunderwings Gu.

This Gu was gotten as spoils of war after the elders had killed a frenzy lightning wolf. Its ability was to materialize a pair of thunder wings and give Gu Masters the ability to fly for a short duration.

With the Thunderwings Gu to assist with movements, Fang Yuan's final combat shortcoming was fixed.