Unscrupulous

"Put all the wine under the bed," Fang Yuan instructed the four inn workers.

Each of them was carrying several jars of Green Bamboo Wine. Fang Yuan had bought twenty more jars from the inn after extorting the other trainees.

Each jar cost two primeval stones. Fang Yuan had spent forty primeval stones in one go for the Wine Bug.

His recently plump money pouch instantly deflated by half, leaving him with only thirty-nine primeval stones. However, he felt it was worth the cost, as this wine would sustain the Wine Bug for a considerable period.

"Right away," the workers replied hastily, not daring to show any disrespect to the Gu Masters.

Furthermore, Fang Yuan's large purchase made him a significant customer for the inn. A few words from him to the innkeeper could easily get these workers fired.

After the workers left, Fang Yuan closed the dormitory door and sat cross-legged on the bed.

It was already nighttime.

The sky was clear with a bright moon and sparse stars, and a faint fragrance drifted on the night breeze.

The room was unlit. Fang Yuan calmed his mind and focused his consciousness into his primeval sea.

The primeval sea churned with waves, its waters emitting a bronze luster. Each surge of water was the unique Bronze True Essence of a Rank 1 Gu Master.

The primeval sea only filled forty-four percent of his aperture, a limitation due to Fang Yuan's C-grade aptitude.

The walls of the aperture were a thin, white membrane of light, supporting and enclosing the space within.

Above the primeval sea, there was nothing. Under Fang Yuan's control, the Spring Autumn Cicada had once again hidden itself, resting and recuperating in slumber.

However, on the surface of the true essence sea, a plump and adorable Wine Bug floated.

It frolicked freely in the true essence seawater, sometimes diving deep, sometimes shaking its head and tail, splashing droplets of water.

With a thought from Fang Yuan, the Wine Bug immediately responded, ceasing its play. It curled into a ball, resembling a glutinous rice ball, and floated gently upwards. It rose to the center of the aperture, separating from the surface of the Bronze Sea.

"Go," Fang Yuan commanded, channeling ten percent of his true essence into a thin stream that surged upwards, filling the Wine Bug entirely.

The Wine Bug had already been refined by him, so it readily accepted, absorbing all the true essence into its body.

Instantly, the forty-four percent surface of the primeval sea receded slightly.

Using the true essence as power, the ball-shaped Wine Bug began to emit a white radiance. A misty aroma of wine gradually emerged from the radiance, eventually forming a mass of pale white wine mist.

The wine mist was peculiar; it did not dissipate but instead enveloped the Wine Bug.

"Rise," Fang Yuan's thoughts moved, and he channeled another ten percent of his true essence.

The bronze seawater surged towards the wine mist. The mist merged with the seawater, gradually diminishing until not a trace remained. The ten percent of Bronze True Essence also vanished in volume, leaving only half of it.

However, this remaining half-percent of true essence was more refined than before. The original true essence was emerald green, with a coppery sheen. The current true essence, while still having a coppery hue, was a deeper shade of green, a verdant green.

Verdant green true essence was the true essence possessed by mid-stage Rank 1 Gu Masters. The function of the Wine Bug was to refine true essence, elevating a Gu Master's true essence by a minor realm!

Gu Masters had nine major realms, from Rank 1 to Rank 9. Each major realm was further divided into four minor realms: early stage, mid stage, late stage, and peak.

Fang Yuan was currently only an early-stage Rank 1 Gu Master, but with the help of the Wine Bug, he now possessed half of a percent of mid-stage Rank 1 Gu Master true essence!

"To refine half a percent of mid-stage true essence, I need to consume two percent of early-stage true essence. To convert the entire forty-four percent of my primeval sea into mid-stage true essence, I would need to expend nearly eighteen percent of my early-stage true essence. To achieve this goal as quickly as possible, I must rely on primeval stones."

With this thought, Fang Yuan opened his eyes and took out a complete primeval stone, about the size of a duck egg, from his pouch.

Primeval stones were oval, semi-transparent stones, grayish-white in color. As the natural true essence within them depleted, their size would gradually shrink.

He slowly closed his right hand, gripping the primeval stone in his palm, absorbing the natural true essence within and continuously replenishing his aperture.

The sea level in his aperture, which had previously dropped, began to slowly rise.

Primeval stones were meant to be used, and Fang Yuan was not stingy or frugal with them at all.

"I have no backing, no support from family or friends, so I can only rely on robbery and extortion. Today was just the first time. From now on, every seven days when the academy distributes primeval stone subsidies, I will continue to block the main entrance of the academy."

One act of robbery and extortion was not enough to satisfy Fang Yuan's appetite. Primeval stones were the most crucial resource for Gu Master cultivation.

As for the impact of this robbery, Fang Yuan was not worried at all.

This world was different from Earth.

On Earth, schools often prohibited fighting, prioritizing stability and harmony. But in this world, combat was the main theme.

Whether Gu Masters or mortals, they had to fight for survival. Sometimes it was battling terrifying beasts, sometimes enduring harsh and violent weather, and sometimes fighting other Gu Masters for resources.

Therefore, regulated fighting and brawling were actually encouraged and advocated.

From childhood to adulthood, from minor scuffles to life-and-death battles, this was the reality for most humans.

This world was vast and boundless. The Southern Border alone, where Fang Yuan lived, was larger than seven or eight Earths combined. The living environment here was extremely harsh, and humans typically lived in families, building villages and confining themselves to secluded areas.

Periodically, there were beast tides or extremely severe weather that would assault the villages.

Gu Masters served as the core defense force for the villages, and their attrition rate was quite high each year.

Life required people with strong fighting will. Families needed fighting Gu Masters, and they never had too many.

Moreover, Fang Yuan's actions were measured.

He never attacked the chin, as this could easily cause a basal skull fracture and be fatal. Nor did he attack the back of people's heads. During fights, he didn't use fists or elbows, nor did he poke with his fingers; instead, he used his palms. He only kicked his feet very rarely.

The trainees who fell were not seriously injured, at most only lightly injured.

Fang Yuan was not bloodthirsty; he merely used killing as a means to an end.

Every time he acted, he had a clear objective. Whichever method served as a shortcut to his goal, he would use it.

In other words, he was unscrupulous in his actions.

Dark clouds drifted over, obscuring the moonlight.

A layer of shadow enveloped Gu Yue village.

The night watchman struck his clapper, bang, bang, bang, signaling that it was late at night, reminding people to be careful with fire, guard against beast attacks, and potential Gu Masters infiltrating from outside the village.

Many lights were still on in the village.

In the study of Gu Yue Chi Lian, within the Chi Branch, the lamp burned brightly.

This high-ranking elder was speaking to his grandson, Gu Yue Chi Cheng, in a gentle tone, "I heard you were beaten by that Fang Yuan today?"

Gu Yue Chi Cheng's right eye was bruised black. He said indignantly, "Yes, Grandpa. That Fang Yuan, he's just a mere C-grade, yet he's so arrogant. He blocked us at the entrance and, disregarding our camaraderie as classmates, robbed us of our primeval stones. What's even more infuriating is that the academy just turned a blind eye. The guards only arrived after Fang Yuan swaggered away. Grandpa, you must help your grandson get this revenge!"

Gu Yue Chi Lian, however, shook his head, "This is a matter among you youngsters. You were only extorted for a single primeval stone and weren't seriously injured, so I have no legitimate reason to intervene. Moreover, even if you were severely injured, I wouldn't step in for you. Do you understand why?"

Gu Yue Chi Cheng was stunned. He pondered hard, and after a long pause, he hesitantly said, "Grandpa, I think I understand what you mean. You want me to find a way to get even using my own strength, right?"

"You've only understood one aspect," Gu Yue Chi Lian nodded. "You must remember that you don't just represent yourself, but also the image of our Chi Branch. Our Chi family and the Mo family have been in opposition for many years. Your every action represents the future hope of the Chi family. I can help you in secret, but you must establish an image of self-reliance and independence. Otherwise, the clan elders who support us will see no future hope and will abandon our Chi family."

Speaking of this, Gu Yue Chi Lian sighed, "This is also why I helped you cheat, letting you impersonate a B-grade talent. Our Chi family needs a strong successor to keep those who support us going."

Gu Yue Chi Cheng finally understood, "Grandpa, your grandson understands now."

Gu Yue Chi Lian shook his head, "Just understanding isn't enough; you need to strive and work hard. This matter with Fang Yuan is a minor trouble. You must diligently practice your basic punches and kicks to regain your standing. At the same time, don't forget to cultivate diligently and advance to the intermediate stage as soon as possible. It would be best if you could win the position of class leader. This is a great honor and would also be a help to our Chi family."

"Yes, Grandpa," Gu Yue Chi Cheng responded loudly.

"Hahaha, this spirit is befitting of our Chi lineage's successor. Grandson, work hard, and Grandpa will do his utmost to help you."