The sky was not yet bright, the sun had not risen, and the eastern horizon was just beginning to whiten. The blackness overhead was gradually fading, and the air still carried the lingering fragrance of night.
On the nearly deserted streets, the sound of light, brisk footsteps echoed.
The mornings in the mountains were always a bit damp and cold, but Guye Fang Zheng felt not the slightest chill—his heart was surging with passionate excitement.
Two patches of red rose to his cheeks as he strode rapidly toward the Academy.
"Over these past days I've trained diligently, spent two Yuan Stones, and stayed up all of last night without sleep. I've finally succeeded in refining the Moonlight Gu. I have Grade A aptitude, and I work this hard. No one can be faster than me—no one! Father, Mother, I told you I wouldn't let you down."
Thinking of how happy and gratified his uncle and aunt had looked when he'd told them the good news just moments ago, Fang Zheng felt a rush of genuine happiness and pride.
"Just wait, all of you clansmen who once looked down on me—and you too, brother. Starting today, I, Guye Fang Zheng, will make you see me in an entirely new light!"
The more Fang Zheng thought about it, the more excited he became. He clenched his fists, and his pace quickened further.
He arrived at the Academy entrance.
The two guards stationed at the Academy saw him and looked puzzled. They asked, "Hm? Guye Fang Yuan, why have you come back?"
"What? My brother was just here?" Hearing this, a flash of surprise and confusion crossed Fang Zheng's face.
"Never mind that for now!" He couldn't possibly have imagined that Fang Yuan would take first place. He shook off the thought, and with a note of pride in his voice, cupped his fists and said, "Gentlemen, I am not Guye Fang Yuan—I am Guye Fang Zheng. I have successfully refined my Life Gu. I'm here to claim the first-place reward."
"You're Guye Fang Zheng? You two brothers look so alike—no wonder even the Elder mistook you!" The guard on the left widened his eyes and exclaimed.
The guard on the right shook his head. "You're a step too late. Just last night, past midnight, your brother Guye Fang Yuan already met with the Elder and claimed the first-place reward."
"My brother!" Fang Zheng's eyes went wide in an instant. "Wait—you're saying he got first place?"
How was that possible? Didn't his brother only have Grade C aptitude?
First place? That had to be a joke!
"It's the truth. 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 rankings will be posted shortly for all to see. What—didn't your brother tell you about this?" the other guard added.
Fang Zheng froze, standing dazed at the entrance.
The reality was far removed from what he had envisioned. He couldn't even begin to understand what had happened.
In Fang Zheng's mind, there were a few imagined rivals. The two most threatening were Guye Mobei and Guye Chicheng.
These two had Grade B aptitude, and behind them stood the two largest branch families in the clan. Each of their grandfathers was a serving Elder, with ample financial resources.
If either of these two had taken first place ahead of him, Fang Zheng would have been mentally prepared. He would have been disappointed, but he could have accepted it.
But now, the one who had taken first place was not Guye Mobei, nor Guye Chicheng—not even any of the rivals he had imagined.
It was Guye Fang Yuan. His brother!
That person with Grade C aptitude!
That person who had fallen into decay after the Opening Orifice Ceremony!
That person who slept through class every day!
That person who drank himself senseless and stayed out all night!