Section Twenty-Six: The Essence of All Organizations

As evening approached, the setting sun in the sky was like blood.

The afterglow shone into the academy. More than fifty students sat upright. On the stage, the Academy Elder was calling out names and distributing subsidies.

This was the primeval stone subsidy distributed by the academy every seven days, a form of support for these youths. After all, with their strength, the economic pressure of raising Gu worms alone was immense.

"Gu Yue Fang Yuan." The clan elder called out.

Fang Yuan rose from his seat by the window in the last row and walked onto the stage, receiving two money bags.

One bag contained a family subsidy of three primeval stones. The other bag contained a reward of ten primeval stones.

"Work hard." The clan elder looked at Fang Yuan deeply. Fang Yuan had taken first place twice in a row, which had earned him a little attention from the clan elder who had initially been disappointed.

Fang Yuan nodded, tucked the money bags into his embrace, and returned to his seat.

"Damn it, he took first place again…" Gu Yue Mo Chen stared intently at Fang Yuan, feeling indignant.

"Those two Moon Blades hit the puppet's neck consecutively. Was it just his luck again, or his true strength?" Gu Yue Chi Cheng narrowed his eyes. This question had been lingering in his mind since the assessment ended.

It wasn't just him; many students' gazes were intentionally or unintentionally drifting towards Fang Yuan.

This question tormented them. Although they had lost, they were unwilling in their hearts and really wanted to know the reason.

As it was about to end, the Academy Elder made an announcement: "You have been in the academy for some time, and you are now familiar with using your Destined Gu. In the coming days, I will teach you how to nurture your apertures and improve your cultivation realm as Gu Masters. The higher a Gu Master's realm, the more condensed their true essence will be. Rank 1 Gu Masters have Bronze True Essence, Rank 2 Gu Masters have Red Iron True Essence, and Rank 3 Gu Masters have Silver True Essence. One portion of Red Iron True Essence is comparable to ten portions of Bronze True Essence. Similarly, one portion of Silver True Essence is comparable to ten portions of Red Iron True Essence!"

"You must remember, Gu worms are merely tools for us to use; cultivation is the foundation of us Gu Masters. Only with higher cultivation can you control more powerful Gu worms. Within the next three months, whoever can first advance to Rank 1 mid-stage will receive a reward of thirty primeval stones and the priority to choose their second Gu worm. After three months, based on performance, we will establish one Class Head and two Deputy Class Heads. The Class Head will receive a subsidy of ten primeval stones every seven days, and the Deputy Class Heads' primeval stone subsidy will increase to five! Alright, that's all for today. Everyone is dismissed."

The clan elder's words caused a buzz in the academy.

"They're going to establish Class Heads and Deputy Class Heads!" someone exclaimed excitedly, clenching their fists.

"The Class Head gets ten primeval stones every seven days, and the Deputy Class Heads get five? If I can be the first to advance to Rank 1 mid-stage, I can definitely become the Class Head." Someone's eyes gleamed.

"Primeval stones aren't the main point. The key is that positions like Class Head and Deputy Class Head represent honor, and their status will be above others. Ordinary students must bow and greet the Class Head." Gu Yue Mo Bei and Chi Cheng, among others, were not lacking in primeval stones but valued this honor greatly.

"Becoming the Class Head, there's nothing wrong with that! Be the first to advance to Rank 1 mid-stage! Let my brother bow and greet me actively when he sees me from now on. Wait, where's brother?" Gu Yue Fang Zheng subconsciously looked back, but Fang Yuan's seat was already empty.

The students gradually left the academy.

"Where is Gu Yue Fang Yuan?" Gu Yue Mo Bei wanted to find Fang Yuan and ask him clearly. But Fang Yuan had already left ahead of time.

"Hmph, running quite fast. Is he scared? It seems like he got lucky again in today's assessment." Gu Yue Chi Cheng sneered.

"Forget it, it's just a reward of ten primeval stones, no need to care about such things. The urgent matter is to advance to mid-stage and seize the position of Class Head." Gu Yue Mo Bei narrowed his eyes, glancing at Gu Yue Chi Cheng and Gu Yue Fang Zheng beside him.

These two were his true opponents. As for Fang Yuan, with his mere C-grade aptitude, he was not a threat.

"The first two times, Fang Yuan was lucky enough to get first place. But this time, the cultivation assessment focuses solely on cultivation aptitude. A higher aptitude gives a significant advantage." Gu Yue Chi Cheng felt suppressed in his heart. His true aptitude was only C-grade; it was only because of cheating that he had the false appearance of B-grade.

"One Class Head and two Deputy Class Head positions have them all eager. Truly a passionate and naive age." Fang Yuan leaned against the academy's main entrance, sneering inwardly.

So-called honor was merely a set of values used by superiors to motivate their subordinates. In essence, it was just an illusory halo, utterly useless!

His five hundred years of life experience had long since made Fang Yuan clear about its intricacies.

"Whether it's a family, a sect, or a demonic cult, whether it's this world or Earth, all organizations are like this. They establish high and low positions, clarify promotion rules, and let people in the organization climb up from the bottom. Because pursuing profit is human nature, and power often gives people the illusion that they are superior and that their lives are more valuable than ordinary people."

"The word 'power' is like a carrot dangled before a donkey. People's desires are ignited by it, and one by one, they strive for it. After reaching one level, there's always a higher one. Little do they know that in the process of striving, their labor is exploited, and the value they create is siphoned off by those in higher positions."

"All organizations, as long as there is a chain of command, serve those in higher positions. The so-called Class Heads and Deputy Class Heads are just the smallest carrots, luring others into the family's system. And to prevent subordinates from seeing through this truth, superiors often unify values, clarify concepts like honor and merit, establish unequal benefits based on rank and position, or use religion to control people's hearts."

"This is the truth. Unfortunately, most people in the world don't understand it and foolishly work hard and risk their lives for others. And all organizations in the world, in their most fundamental essence, have only one purpose: the redistribution of resources. Those at higher levels enjoy more resources."

In his previous life, Fang Yuan founded the Blood Wing Demonic Cult in Central Continent, with tens of thousands of followers. He also established positions like Demonic Soldier, Demonic General, and Demonic Commander, granting corresponding benefits, which attracted countless people and made them obedient to Fang Yuan. This experience allowed him to understand this principle thoroughly.

"Therefore, any organization is just a facade. The true foundation consists of only two words: resources. Without food resources, you will starve. Without drinking resources, you will die of thirst. Without cultivation resources, you will be weak and eventually bullied to death."

"And primeval stones are the primary resource for Gu Master cultivation!" Fang Yuan's eyes were as deep as a dark pool. Thinking of this, the corners of his mouth curled up, forming a cold smile.

He had left the academy long ago and was now standing at the main entrance. He saw the first batch of students walking out, gradually approaching him.

"It's Fang Yuan."

"What is he doing blocking the middle of the entrance?"

"Hmph, I always find his arrogant demeanor annoying."

"Don't mind him, he's probably waiting for someone."

The youths paid him no mind and were about to walk past when Fang Yuan took a step sideways, blocking them: "Hold up. Everyone must hand over one primeval stone before you can leave."