It was roughly three hundred years ago that a prodigy appeared among the Guye Clan.
He was brilliantly talented. Still a youth, he had already cultivated to the level of a Fifth Transformation Gu Master, with the potential to advance even further. His fame spread across Qing Mao Mountain, and he was endlessly glorified, carrying the hopes and heavy responsibilities placed upon him by his clansmen.
He was the fourth-generation patriarch of the Guye Clan — the most celebrated in its entire history.
Unfortunately, the fourth-generation patriarch clashed against the demonic figure Hua Jiu Xing Zhe, a fellow Fifth Transformation Gu Master, in order to protect his clan. Though a fierce battle ensued and he defeated Hua Jiu Xing Zhe — even forcing the demon to his knees in begging mercy—
In the end, the fourth-generation patriarch was caught off guard by Hua Jiu Xing Zhe's treacherous sneak attack.
The fourth-generation patriarch slain Hua Jiu Xing Zhe in a fury, but his own wounds were too grievous to mend. He died young, cut down in his prime.
This tragic tale has been passed down to the present day, widely lauded among the Guye Clan.
But Fang Yuan understood that the story could not be taken at face value. For it contained a glaring inconsistency.
One month after the events of his previous life, a heartbroken Gu Master, drowning his sorrows in drink, lay sprawled outside the stockade in a drunken stupor. The rich scent of alcohol that wafted from him inadvertently attracted a Wine Worm.
The Gu Master chased the Wine Worm into an underground hidden cave, where he discovered the remains of Hua Jiu Xing Zhe, along with the demonic figure's personal legacy.
The Gu Master hurried back to the clan and reported his findings, causing a tremendous sensation.
Once the commotion gradually subsided, he benefited greatly — obtaining the Wine Worm, advancing in cultivation, and even winning back the girlfriend who had abandoned him. The whole affair made him a prominent figure in the stockade for a time.
Stories change as they are passed from one generation to the next, so distortions are only natural. But in Fang Yuan's memory, the account of the Gu Master discovering the hidden legacy, though seemingly credible, also likely concealed other truths.
"I hadn't noticed it before, but over these past days, as I explored and analyzed simultaneously, I've realized there's something suspicious about this entire affair." The night deepened as Fang Yuan walked through the bamboo forest surrounding the stockade, his mind reviewing and piecing together every known clue.
"Put yourself in his shoes. Suppose I were that Gu Master who discovered Hua Jiu Xing Zhe's hidden legacy — why wouldn't I keep it all for myself? Never mind talk of clan loyalty; all people are driven by greed. What compelled that Gu Master to defy his own desires and willingly relinquish every scrap of profit to report his discovery to the clan elders?"
The truth always hides within the fog of history. Fang Yuan pondered endlessly, but found no answer.
After all, the clues were far too few. The two threads he had were themselves a mix of truth and falsehood, unreliable in their entirety.
Fang Yuan couldn't help but turn his thoughts to his own situation. "No matter what, after buying that jar of Green Bamboo Wine, I only have two Yuan Stones left. If I can't find the hidden legacy, I'll be in real trouble. Tonight's move is nothing short than going all in!"
However, even without this purchase, he would have lacked sufficient Yuan Stones to refine Gu Insects anyway. It was better to invest in this wine and increase his chances of success tonight.
Most others would play it safe, steadily accumulating Yuan Stones step by step.
But for Fang Yuan, that approach was far too inefficient. He would rather take the risk and gamble on a greater prize.
Those who walked the Demonic Path always had a taste for risk.
At that moment.
The night deepened. The spring moon hung like a bow.
Drifting clouds veiled the moonlight, as if draping a thin gossamer shroud over the crescent.
Because a heavy rainstorm had just poured down for three days and three nights, the miasma of the mountains had been washed clean, leaving behind only the purest freshness.
This clean air, pure as a blank sheet of paper, was ideal for the spread of alcoholic fragrance. This was one of the reasons Fang Yuan was so confident tonight.
"This is the only area left unexplored." He arrived at a stretch of bamboo forest and halted.
His seven days of searching had not been without result. At the very least, they had confirmed that Hua Jiu Xing Zhe had not died in any of those locations.
This was Fang Yuan's second reason for confidence.
Within the bamboo forest, lush grasses grew thick and wild, white flowers blanketed the ground, and Green Spear Bamboo stood perfectly straight, like rods of jade.
Fang Yuan broke the clay seal on the small wine jar, and immediately a rich, heady aroma surged forth.
Green Bamboo Wine could be called the finest wine in all of Guye Stockade. This was Fang Yuan's third reason for confidence tonight.
"With these three reasons stacked together, if success is to come, it must be tonight!" Fang Yuan silently cheered himself on as he slowly tilted the jar, pouring a thin trickle of Green Bamboo Wine onto a stone.
If those hunters had seen this sight, they would have been heartbroken. This wine was worth a full two Yuan Stones…
But Fang Yuan was utterly unmoved.
The mellow fragrance of the alcohol quickly spread. In the night air, a gentle breeze carried the dark scent, permeating the bamboo forest in every direction.
Fang Yuan stood in place, inhaling the wine's aroma, and waited for a moment — but there was no sign of any movement.
Only the cry of a nightingale-like bird could be heard nearby, its voice like a string of silver bells.
His gaze remained calm, unsurprised. He shifted his steps, turned, and headed toward the next spot several hundred meters away.