How could my brother get first place?

The sky wasn't fully bright yet, and the sun hadn't risen. The eastern sky was just beginning to turn white. The blackness in the sky was gradually fading, and the scent of night still lingered in the air.

A brisk set of footsteps echoed on the nearly deserted street.

The mountain mornings were always a bit damp and cold, but Gu Yue Fang Zheng didn't feel the slightest chill; his heart was filled with surging passion.

A blush rose on his face as he hurried towards the academy.

"I've been cultivating diligently these past few days, consuming two primeval stones, and I didn't sleep all night last night. I finally succeeded in refining the Moonlight Gu. I have A-grade aptitude, and I'm this diligent. No one will be faster than me, no one! Father, Mother, I told you I wouldn't disappoint you."

Thinking about how happy and relieved his uncle and aunt looked when he shared the good news with them just now, Fang Zheng felt a surge of genuine joy and pride.

"Just you wait, all you clan members who looked down on me before, and my brother. From today on, you'll all see me, Gu Yue Fang Zheng, in a new light!"

The more Fang Zheng thought about it, the more excited he became. He couldn't help but clench his fists, his steps quickening even further.

He arrived at the academy entrance.

The two guards protecting the academy looked at him strangely and asked, "Huh, Gu Yue Fang Yuan, why are you back?"

"What? Brother was just here?" Fang Zheng's face flashed with a hint of surprise and confusion upon hearing this.

"Never mind that for now!" He hadn't expected Fang Yuan to win first place at all. Shaking his head, he said with a touch of pride, cupping his hands, "Two elder brothers, I'm not Gu Yue Fang Yuan, I'm Gu Yue Fang Zheng. I've successfully refined my life-bound Gu, and I'm here to claim the first-place reward."

"You're Gu Yue Fang Zheng? You brothers look so alike, no wonder the clan elder mistook you," the guard on the left exclaimed, his eyes wide.

The guard on the right shook his head, "You're a step too late. Just last night, at midnight, your brother Gu Yue Fang Yuan already met with the clan elder and received the first-place reward."

"My brother!" Fang Zheng's eyes widened instantly, and he blurted out, "Wait, you said he got first place?"

How could this be possible! Didn't his brother only have C-grade aptitude?

Getting first place, was this a joke?!

"It's true. Why would we joke about something like this?" Seeing Fang Zheng's disbelief, the guard became a little displeased.

"This matter has been confirmed by the Academy Elder. The list will be posted soon to announce it. What, didn't your brother tell you about this?" another guard added.

Fang Zheng was stunned, standing foolishly at the entrance.

The reality was so far from what he had expected that he couldn't even figure out what had happened.

Fang Zheng also had several imagined formidable rivals in his heart. Among them, the two most threatening were Gu Yue Mo Bei and Gu Yue Chi Cheng.

These two had B-grade aptitude, and behind them were the two largest branch families in the clan. Their grandfathers were both powerful clan elders, possessing ample financial resources.

If these two had beaten him to first place, Fang Zheng would have been mentally prepared. Although he would have been disappointed, he could have accepted it.

But now, the one who took first place was neither Gu Yue Mo Bei nor Gu Yue Chi Cheng, nor even any of the rivals he had imagined.

It was Gu Yue Fang Yuan, his brother!

The one with C-grade aptitude!

The one who had become decadent and fallen after the Aperture Opening Ceremony!

The one who slept soundly in class every day!

The one who drank himself into a stupor, stayed out all night, and was found drunk!

The one who bullied Shen Cui, slapped him twice, and took all the primeval stones from him!

The one who had always suppressed him, like a shadow lingering in his heart!

"How could this be? This is impossible!" Fang Zheng roared in his heart. "I work so hard, and he spends all day drunk, yet he gets first place. Is there any justice in this? Why? Why?!"

The sun rose from the east, birds chirped, and the vibrant spring swept across Qing Mao Mountain.

Gu Yue Fang Zheng bathed in the warm sunlight, but he slowly lowered his head, gritted his teeth, and looked at his lonely shadow on the ground.

The surging emotions in his heart were like a deflated ball, long gone. They were replaced by a complex mix of confusion, indignation, bewilderment, unwillingness, and fear.

Time passed, and the sun climbed higher and higher.

A new list was posted on the academy's announcement wall. The list contained only two names, Fang Yuan and Fang Zheng, in that order.

As this list appeared, the news gradually spread.

The young people who had focused on refining Gu at home after receiving their Gu worms were in an uproar upon hearing the news.

"How could this be!"

"If Fang Zheng got first place, I would believe it, but Fang Yuan, wasn't he C-grade aptitude?"

"Are they kidding? Fang Zheng, with A-grade aptitude, lost to Fang Yuan, with C-grade aptitude? Is this a fairy tale?"

Mo Family Branch.

In a small courtyard, lush with greenery and filled with the aroma of tea, Gu Yue Mo Chen, one of the Gu Yue Clan's powerful clan elders, sat at his desk, enjoying the spring scenery outside the window while sipping tea. "Has Mo Bei not continued refining his Gu yet?"

The butler standing beside him quickly replied, "Ever since he heard the news about Fang Yuan this morning, Young Master Mo Bei seems to have been deeply affected and has no mood to continue refining the Moonlight Gu. It's truly a pity; Young Master Mo Bei was just a step away from success. Honestly, if Fang Zheng had gotten first place, it would have been one thing, but it had to be Fang Yuan, with C-grade aptitude. So it's understandable that Young Master Mo Bei lost interest."

"Hmph! Don't make excuses for him," Gu Yue Mo Chen snorted coldly, his expression stern and his tone like iron. "Gu Master cultivation is arduous every step of the way. What is this minor setback? Fang Yuan is merely C-grade. The reason he could get first place is likely due to luck. The Moonlight Gu he chose had a weak will, allowing him to get ahead. If Mo Bei cannot see through this and cannot even withstand such a small setback, how can he lead our Mo family branch in the future, and how can he contend with the Chi family branch? No one is allowed to persuade him; let him think for himself!"

"Yes, Master," the butler dared not retort.

Almost simultaneously, at the Chi Family Branch.

"Sigh, Gu Yue Fang Yuan..." The clan elder Gu Yue Chi Lian sighed deeply, frowning in thought. He beckoned to his attendants, "Someone, call young master Chi Cheng in."

A short while later, Gu Yue Chi Cheng, with a look of dejection, entered the room and performed a kowtow. "Grandson greets Grandfather."

"It seems you already know the news," Gu Yue Chi Lian said softly, gazing at his only grandson. "I called you here to prevent you from being affected by this. The refinement of a life-linked Gu depends on aptitude and the Gu worm itself."

"Fang Yuan's aptitude is only C-grade, yet he managed to win first place this time. This indicates that the Gu worm he chose has a much weaker will compared to the Moonlight Gu you possess. It was purely luck. So, my grandson, do not be discouraged or dejected. This is nothing. He only has C-grade aptitude, just like you, but he hasn't had as many resources as you. His path to advancement will be more difficult than yours. Believe your grandfather, you will soon surpass him."

"Therefore, put aside this trivial matter. Fang Yuan is not your rival, nor is he worthy of being called your rival. Your true strong opponents are Fang Zheng, with his A-grade aptitude, and Mo Bei of the Mo family. Do you understand?"

"Yes, thank you for your guidance, Grandfather. Grandson understands. Grandson will now take his leave and continue refining Gu!" The dejection on Gu Yue Chi Cheng's face vanished, replaced by a surge of fighting spirit.

"Good," Clan Elder Gu Yue Chi Lian nodded with satisfaction, revealing a kind and loving smile. "Good grandson, although your true aptitude is also only C-grade, rest assured you have your grandfather's full support. Later, Grandfather will intervene and use the aura of a Rank 3 Gu worm to suppress the will of the Moonlight Gu for you, helping you refine this Gu!"