Dawn had not yet fully broken, and the sun had yet to rise. The eastern sky had only begun to pale. The blackness overhead was gradually fading, while the air still retained the fragrance of night.
A brisk set of footsteps rang out on the nearly deserted street.
Mornings in the mountains were always somewhat damp and cold, yet Gu Yue Fang Zheng did not feel the slightest chill. His heart brimmed with surging passion.
Two patches of red rose on his face as he hurried toward the academy.
"These past few days, I cultivated arduously and consumed two Primeval Stones. I stayed awake all last night, and I finally succeeded in refining the Moonlight Gu. I have A-grade Aptitude, and I worked this hard. No one could be faster than me—no one! Father, Mother, I said I would not disappoint you."
Thinking of Uncle and Aunt's delighted, gratified expressions when he had just told them this good news, Fang Zheng felt a heartfelt surge of joy and pride.
"Just wait, you clansmen who once looked down on me—and Big Brother. From today onward, I, Gu Yue Fang Zheng, will make you see me in a new light!"
The more Fang Zheng thought about it, the more excited he became. He could not help clenching his fists, and his footsteps grew even lighter.
He arrived at the academy gate.
The two guards watching over the academy saw him and found it strange. One asked, "Hm? Gu Yue Fang Yuan, why have you come back again?"
"Big Brother was just here?" Hearing this, a trace of surprise and confusion flashed across Fang Zheng's face.
"Never mind that!" He simply could not imagine that Fang Yuan had taken first place. Shaking his head, he cupped his hands with a hint of pride in his voice. "Two brothers, I am not Gu Yue Fang Yuan. I am Gu Yue Fang Zheng. I have successfully refined my Destined Gu, and I came this time to collect the first-place reward."
"You're Gu Yue Fang Zheng? You two brothers look far too alike. No wonder even the Academy Elder mistook you." The guard on the left widened his eyes and exclaimed.
The guard on the right shook his head. "You came a step too late. In the middle of last night, your older brother Gu Yue Fang Yuan already met with the Academy Elder and collected the first-place reward."
"My brother?" Fang Zheng's eyes widened instantly as he exclaimed, "Wait, you said he got first place?"
How was that possible! Wasn't Big Brother only C-grade Aptitude?
First place? That had to be a joke!
"It's true. Why would we joke about something like this?" Seeing Fang Zheng's disbelief, the guard grew somewhat displeased.
"This matter has already been confirmed by the Academy Elder. The ranking list will be posted shortly and announced to everyone. What, didn't your brother tell you?" the other guard added.
Fang Zheng was stunned, standing blankly at the gate.
Reality differed far too greatly from what he had expected. He could not even understand what had happened.
Fang Zheng had also imagined several formidable rivals in his heart. Of the two most threatening, one was Gu Yue Mo Bei, and the other was Gu Yue Chi Cheng.
These two possessed B-grade Aptitude. Behind them stood the Lineage's two largest branch families, and their grandfathers were both Academy Elders in power, with ample financial resources.
If either of those two had claimed first place ahead of him, Fang Zheng would have been mentally prepared. Though he would have felt disappointed, he could have accepted it.
But now, the one who had taken first place was neither Gu Yue Mo Bei nor Gu Yue Chi Cheng, nor was it any of the imagined rivals in his heart.
It was Gu Yue Fang Yuan, his older brother!
That person with C-grade Aptitude!
That person who had become dispirited and fallen into depravity after the Aperture Opening Ceremony!
That person who slept soundly through class every day!
That person who drank himself into a stupor and stayed out all night!
That person who had bullied Shen Cui, slapped him twice, and taken every Primeval Stone from him!
That person who had always pressed down on him before, like a shadow entrenched in his heart!
"How could this be? This is impossible!" Fang Zheng roared inwardly. "I worked so hard, while he spent every day drinking himself senseless, yet he was the one who got first place. Is there any justice left in the world? Why? Why?!"
The sun rose in the east, birds chirped merrily, and vibrant spring swept across Qing Mao Mountain.
Gu Yue Fang Zheng stood bathed in warm sunlight, yet he slowly lowered his head, gritted his teeth, and stared at his lonely shadow on the ground.
The surging emotions in his heart were like a deflated ball, with almost nothing left. In their place came a tangled mixture of doubt, indignation, incomprehension, unwillingness, fear, and more.
Time passed, and the sun climbed higher and higher.
A new ranking list was posted on the academy's announcement wall. There were only two names on it, in order: Fang Yuan, Fang Zheng.
With the appearance of this ranking list, the news gradually spread.
The youths who had received their Gu worms and shut themselves away at home to refine them were all in an uproar when they heard the news.
"How could this happen?!"
"I would have believed it if Fang Zheng got first, but Fang Yuan? Wasn't he C-grade Aptitude?"
"Is there some mistake? Fang Zheng, with A-grade Aptitude, actually lost to Fang Yuan, who had C-grade Aptitude. Was this some tale from the heavens?"
Mo Family Branch.
The little courtyard was lush with greenery, and the fragrance of tea drifted through the air.
Gu Yue Mo Chen, one of the Gu Yue Clan's Academy Elders in power, sat before his desk. Looking at the spring scenery outside the window, he leisurely sipped tea. "Mo Bei has not continued refining his Gu?"
The steward standing to one side hurriedly replied, "Since hearing the news about Fang Yuan this morning, Young Master Mo Bei seems to have suffered a severe blow and has no mood to continue refining the Moonlight Gu. It is truly a pity, speaking of it. Young Master Mo Bei was only a tiny step away from success. If Fang Zheng had taken first place, that would have been one thing. But it had to be Fang Yuan, that C-grade Aptitude fellow. It is no wonder Young Master Mo Bei lost interest."
"Hmph! Do not make excuses for him." Gu Yue Mo Chen snorted coldly, his expression stern and his tone hard as iron. "A Gu Master's cultivation is arduous at every step. What does such a minor setback amount to? Fang Yuan is merely C-grade Aptitude. The reason he took first place was surely luck. The Moonlight Gu he chose must have had a feeble will, allowing him to steal a march on the others. If Mo Bei cannot see through this, if he cannot even withstand such a small setback, then how will he lead our Mo family branch in the future? How will he contend against the Chi Family branch? No one is to counsel him. Let him think it over properly himself!"
"Yes, Master." The steward did not dare argue.
Almost at the same time, Chi Branch.
"Ah, Gu Yue Fang Yuan..." Academy Elder Gu Yue Chi Lian let out a long sigh. After frowning in thought for a while, he beckoned to those nearby. "Someone, summon Young Master Chi Cheng."
Before long, Gu Yue Chi Cheng entered the room with a face full of disappointment and performed a kneeling salute. "Your grandson greets Grandfather."
"It seems you already know this news." Gu Yue Chi Lian gazed at his only biological grandson, his voice gentle as he spoke slowly. "I summoned you here to prevent this matter from affecting you. Refining one's Destined Gu depends first on aptitude, and second on the Gu worm."
"Fang Yuan has only C-grade Aptitude, yet he managed to take first place this time. This shows that the Gu worm he chose had a will far weaker than the Moonlight Gu in your hands. It was entirely luck. Therefore, Grandson, do not be discouraged or disappointed. This is nothing. He is merely C-grade Aptitude. Although it is the same as yours, his resources are nowhere near as abundant as yours, and his path to advancement will be far more difficult. Believe Grandfather—you will soon surpass him."
"So, put this trivial matter aside. Fang Yuan will not be your formidable rival, nor is he worthy of being called your formidable rival. Your true powerful enemies are Fang Zheng with his A-grade Aptitude, and Mo Bei of the Mo family. Do you understand?"
"Yes, thank you for Grandfather's guidance. Your grandson understands. I will go and continue refining my Gu!" The disappointment on Gu Yue Chi Cheng's face vanished, replaced by soaring fighting spirit.
"Mm." Academy Elder Gu Yue Chi Lian nodded in satisfaction, revealing a kind and benevolent smile. "Good grandson, although your true aptitude is also merely C-grade, rest assured that Grandfather will support you with all his strength. In a while, Grandfather will make a move and use the aura of a Rank 3 Gu to suppress the Moonlight Gu's will for you, helping you refine this Gu!"
Before you continue