In the main hall, Clan Leader Gu Yue Bo sat high on the central seat, his face expressionless, his eyes deep and unfathomable.
The other dozen or so Elders were each seated separately, eyes lowered as if contemplating their noses, hearts turned inward. They only used the corners of their eyes to subtly scan left and right, attempting to discern clues from the expressions of those around them.
The atmosphere instantly became charged with subtle tension.
"For Fang Yuan to seize first place, the hidden meaning behind it is definitely not simple. The excuse he gave about finding a bag containing a wild boar's tooth on the way is far too contrived."
"Someone must have prepared that bag in advance; it's impossible for Fang Yuan to have accomplished this alone. In other words, someone secretly helped Fang Yuan."
"This year's Mid-year Exam is different from the past. Since dozens of Second Transformation Gu Masters were mobilized to monitor and assess, the content of this exam wasn't only known to the Academy Elder. Many other Elders in the clan were aware of it."
"To arrange this bag in advance, only the Elders present here could have done it—perhaps even the Clan Leader directly!"
The Elders were all old and cunning, having weathered years of political maneuvering. They immediately connected many dots.
Fang Zheng possessed Grade A Aptitude. If he were truly nurtured all the way to the Fourth Transformation, what would that mean? It would mean the next Clan Leader!
Fang Yuan was Fang Zheng's older brother. Although he only had Grade C Aptitude, that blood relation alone made him worth investing in!
For Clan Leader Gu Yue Bo, secretly assisting Fang Yuan and bringing him into his own faction would, in the future, serve as an excellent link to maintain control over Fang Zheng.
For the Elders, Fang Zheng was the only Grade A genius in recent years and had already joined the Clan Leader's faction. If he were truly developed, the Clan Leader's power would only grow stronger. If the Elders could win Fang Yuan over and utilize this blood relationship, it would become a very useful chess piece for dealing with Fang Zheng in the future.
Therefore, every one of the dozen or so people sitting in this hall had a motive to help Fang Yuan.
But who was it?
Gu Yue Chilian was lost in thought: "I didn't try to recruit Fang Yuan. Who could be secretly helping him? That old fossil Mochen? It's possible. Although Fang Yuan killed his household slave, what does a slave matter? Even if they all died, it wouldn't hurt. The Clan Leader is more likely. He already took in Gu Yue Fang Zheng; pulling Gu Yue Fang Yuan over as well would greatly strengthen his control over Fang Zheng! However... by past convention, recruitment usually happens at the end of the year. To act now, at mid-year, is breaking the rules."
"It's not exactly breaking the rules, but it's certainly bending them quite a bit. Who has such high hopes for Fang Yuan, even higher than mine?" Gu Yue Mochen was also pondering.
The truth was, after Fang Yuan killed Gao Wan and sent his dismembered corpse as a gift, Gu Yue Mochen had looked at him in a new light and even harbored thoughts of recruiting him.
But such recruitment typically occurred at the end of the year, when students graduated from the Academy.
Fang Yuan being recruited early took even Gu Yue Mochen by surprise.
Gu Yue Bo's gaze primarily rested on the faces of the two powerful Elders, Gu Yue Chilian and Gu Yue Mochen.
This Clan Leader was thinking deeper and further ahead.
Fang Yuan had brazenly lied to win first place. This action carried a sense of unbridled arrogance and served as a clear signal to everyone—Fang Yuan is under my protection! I've recruited him early, so you'd better not touch him.
And who could this person be?
Within the Gu Yue Clan, the political landscape was a three-way stand-off. Besides the Clan Leader, there was the Scarlet Lineage represented by Gu Yue Chilian, and the Desolate Lineage represented by Gu Yue Mochen.
Gu Yue Bo knew perfectly well that he hadn't made any move to recruit Fang Yuan. Therefore, the prime suspects were Gu Yue Chilian and Gu Yue Mochen.
"These two old foxes, their acting skills are improving. Just by looking at their expressions, it's truly impossible to tell. Could it not be them, but some other minor faction?"
Gu Yue Bo observed subtly, speculating. He did not know that the other Elders, like him, were also watching, suspecting, and speculating in the same way.
The Academy Elder was also speculating, but he had always remained neutral, staying out of political struggles. Therefore, his thinking was much simpler: "So Fang Yuan was recruited by one of the Elders. No wonder he deliberately spared Fang Zheng, Mobei, and Chicheng during his extortion. The one who recruited him was probably either the Clan Leader, or Elders Chilian or Mochen. This is a good thing! It means he has recognized reality and begun to integrate into the clan. Regardless, he is now a member of the clan. Once he fully integrates in the future, he will be willing to dedicate his life to serving the clan!"
After a moment of silence, seeing that no further clues could be gleaned, Gu Yue Bo finally spoke up: "To receive without giving in return is impolite. Since the other party has already begun to target Fang Zheng, our Guye Clan is not to be trifled with. We must respond in kind! Dark Hall Elder, plan this matter first, then report to me."
"By your command, Clan Leader," the Dark Hall Elder immediately nodded in assent.
"As for Gu Yue Fang Zheng, I worry that he has suffered a blow to his spirit from this sudden change. His Grade A Aptitude holds immense significance for our clan, and that needs no further explanation. From now on, I will personally tutor him," Gu Yue Bo added.
None of the Elders raised any objections.
In fact, many knew the Clan Leader had long been secretly giving Gu Yue Fang Zheng special training. Bringing it up now, though it went against principles of fairness, was well-justified, and the Elders had no grounds to stop it.
"As for Gu Yue Fang Yuan..." Gu Yue Bo deliberately drew out the words.
Instantly, every Elder perked up their ears. Could it be that the Clan Leader was the one who secretly helped Fang Yuan?
Gu Yue Bo swept his gaze around the room. He too was observing the expressions of the surrounding Elders. But he was destined for disappointment.