Family Inheritance: Part Two

"Isn't the difficulty of this mission... a bit too high?" Fang Yuan asked as he was handed it. 

There was a Twin-Headed Boar, which was a Hundred Beast King, who had wandered too close to some mortal villages, and the task was to chase it away. The issue was that 'chasing' one away was nearly impossible without killing or severely wounding it.

If Fang Yuan did not have the rest of his team, in ordinary times, he would not have been able to complete such a task. Most Rank 2 Gu Masters would not be able to take on a Hundred Beast King- most teams would also find it difficult to deal with that kind of creature. 

Of course, for someone like Qing Shu, such a thing would be easy even on his own.

"Young man, newcomers have to prove themselves," the clerk said. "And this is a mission that has been on standby for several months. You are a Rank 2 Gu Master, aren't you?"

"Relax," Qing Shu said, waving the clerk down. "Fang Yuan, with us at your side, you don't need to fear this wild boar." 

Fang Yuan initially thought that the mission's high difficulty was because of his uncle's underhanded dealings, though he realized that this was a scheme by Qing Shu.

After all, if Fang Yuan had refused to relinquish his grudge against his aunt and uncle, he would've had to turn to his team members to help with the task at hand. And then, Qing Shu could've mentioned that as a criterion to offer his teammates help.

Fang Yuan was reasonably confident he could tackle the Twin-Headed Boar on his own so long as he could refine the Moonglow Gu. With it, and his superior fighting tactics, an animal would be of no match against him. The issue was that he was part of a team, and not just any team, THE team among teams, and had to pretend to go along with them. 

"As a matter of fact," Qing Shu said. "This would be good training for you. I've seen you fight against other humans, but a lot of your fighting as a Gu Master will be against wild beasts. Once you become an elder, fighting against Thousand Beast Kings will be a big aspect of what you will need to do, and oftentimes, you will have to do it in groups. On top of which, the real danger is against Myriad Beast Kings, which have the strength of Rank 4 Gu Masters, meaning that even the clan head might have an issue against them without support from the elders. With us, you can practice your teamwork before heading out."

The other teammates also reassured him that the task was more than possible as Fang Yuan left- the agreement being that they would meet up in two days to deal with the Twin-Headed Boar. 

Fang Yuan returned home. The apartment was deficient in a lot of ways, particularly when it came to keeping the cold out. There were a few holes in the walls which the two brothers had hastily fixed with pieces of bamboo sheets and wood. Before, there had not been a heater in the room, though Fang Zheng had taken some time out to fetch some coal and now for the most part the room was at a somewhat bearable temperature. On top of which, several thick blankets were laid out alongside an oil lamp.

The room was quite barebones, but that was just how Fang Yuan liked it and Fang Zheng, if he wanted to keep living there, had little in the way of objecting. Though he had bought some small comforts for himself with some of the primeval stones that Fang Yuan had given him such as a silk undershirt that kept him warm even without the blanket. 

Right now, Fang Zheng was cultivating, the Liquor Worm working its hardest to solidify his primeval essence to the point where he could use it to nurture his aperture walls even further. 

Fang Yuan did not disturb him, instead retrieving three gu worms- the Moonlight Gu, and two Little Light Gu. He had managed to get an extra Little Light Gu from someone and bought it at a reasonable price, and now was a good chance to try to form the Rank 2 Moonglow Gu.

Fang Zheng eventually opened his eyes and noticed that Fang Yuan had returned. "Brother, you're back already? Did you manage to complete the inheritance mission?"

Fang Yuan shook his head. "It's a bit difficult- having to deal with a Hundred Beast King."

"What? That's outrageous! It's unfair! How are you going to deal with it?"

"It's not a big problem," Fang Yuan said, waving his hand. He had more than enough primeval stones now that he was no longer actively cultivating to attempt refinement of the Moonglow Gu several times, more than enough to be successful. With it, he could finish the mission on his own, let alone with help. So, he would only try once- but the Moonglow Gu would be extremely useful in the future so he might as well start now regardless. "How is your cultivation progressing? Focus on that above all."

"I-I think I'll reach Rank 1 Upper Stage soon," Fang Zheng said.

"Good, good."

"What are you doing?"

"Refining a Rank 2 Gu Worm- hmm... Fang Zheng, there are a few things that I need you to do to help me out here," Fang Yuan said. He could do this easily on his own, but with an assistant to handle some of the more annoying parts for him, it would make it slightly more convenient. He took out a bag of Moon Orchid Petals- by making sure that his worms were fully fed, it would increase the success rate of the refinement. 

Just like he had done earlier, he put his will into the three gu worms which began to rotate around each other before they formed a tiny lump of light. Fang Yuan then began tossing in primeval stones, while simultaneously Fang Zheng added in Moon Orchid Petals. This modification was not a new discovery, but something not widely known as being something that would increase the success rate of this refinement. Since they effect was greatest when they were added simultaneously, it was easier to do this with someone assisting you. 

The ball of light became compact, before finally dissipating and a new silvery gu worm dropped down onto the table. It had the appearance of a crescent moon, glowing a light silver. 

'Even my second attempt at gu fusion succeeded on the first try,' Fang Yuan thought. The success rate of fusing gu worms was rather high at this low level, but it was still quite a feat. 

The Moonglow Gu could shoot out moonblades at 300% strength of a Moonlight Gu, though the range remained unchanged. With Fang Yuan's more condensed primeval essence, it would inflict heavy damage even to the body of a Hundred Beast King. 

"That's amazing," Fang Zheng said with wonder in his eyes.

"Don't worry, once you get to Rank 2, I'll show you how to do this myself," Fang Yuan said before turning over to go to sleep and to get some rest.

Fang Zheng tried cultivating for a bit longer before retiring as well.