As evening approached, the setting sun on the horizon blazed red as blood.
The lingering glow spilled into the Academy, where more than fifty students sat bolt upright in their seats. On the podium, the Academy Elder called out names one by one and distributed the subsidies.
This was the Yuan Stone subsidy handed out by the Academy every seven days—a form of support for these young people. After all, with their current strength, raising Gu Insects on their own still placed considerable financial burden on them.
"Gu Yue Fang Yuan," the Elder called.
Fang Yuan rose from his seat by the window in the last row, walked up to the podium, and accepted two money pouches.
One pouch contained three Yuan Stones—the clan subsidy. The other held ten Yuan Stones—the reward.
"Work hard," the Elder said, giving Fang Yuan a deep look. Fang Yuan had claimed first place twice in a row, and even this Elder, who had long since given up hope, was beginning to pay a small measure of attention to him.
Fang Yuan nodded, tucked the money pouches into his robes, and returned to his seat.
"Damn it, he took first place again…" Gu Yue Mochen glared at Fang Yuan, seething with indignation.
"Those two Moon Blades hitting the puppet's neck in succession—was that dumb luck, or real skill?" Gu Yue Chicheng narrowed his eyes. Since the exam ended, this question had been swirling in his mind.
He wasn't the only one. Many students' gazes drifted toward Fang Yuan, whether intentionally or not.
The question tormented them. Though they had lost, they refused to accept it, desperate to know the truth.
As the session drew to a close, the Academy Elder made an announcement: "You have been at the Academy for some time now, and you've grown familiar with using your Life Gu. In the days ahead, I will teach you how to nourish your Empty Orifices and raise your cultivation realm as Gu Masters. The higher a Gu Master's realm, the more refined their True Essence. A First Transformation Gu Master produces Bronze True Essence, a Second Transformation Gu Master produces Red Iron True Essence, and a Third Transformation Gu Master produces Silver True Essence. One unit of Red Iron True Essence is worth ten units of Bronze True Essence. Likewise, one unit of Silver True Essence is worth ten units of Red Iron True Essence!"
"Remember this: Gu Insects are merely tools. Your cultivation is the foundation of a Gu Master. The higher your cultivation, the more powerful the Gu Insects you can command. Over the next three months, whoever advances to First Transformation, Middle Stage first will receive a reward of thirty Yuan Stones, along with priority selection of a second Gu Insect. After three months, based on your results, we will appoint one Class Leader and two Deputy Class Leaders. The Class Leader will enjoy a subsidy of ten Yuan Stones, and the Deputy Class Leaders' subsidy will increase to five Yuan Stones! That's all for today. You're dismissed."
The Elder's words set the Academy buzzing with murmurs.
"They're going to appoint Class Leaders and Deputy Class Leaders!" someone exclaimed, pumping a fist in excitement.
"The Class Leader gets ten Yuan Stones every seven days, and the Deputy Class Leader gets five? If I can be the first to advance to First Transformation, Middle Stage, I'll definitely become the Class Leader." Someone's eyes lit up with ambition.
"The Yuan Stones aren't the point. The real thing is that positions like Class Leader and Deputy Class Leader represent honor—and the status that comes with them. Ordinary students have to bow and greet the Class Leader when they see one." Gu Yue Mobei and Chicheng didn't lack Yuan Stones; what they valued was the honor.
"Become the Class Leader—that's right. Be the first to advance to First Transformation, Middle Stage! Make even my brother bow and greet me when he sees me. Wait—where's my brother?" Gu Yue Fang Zheng turned around instinctively, only to find Fang Yuan's seat already empty.
The students filed out of the Academy one after another.
"Where's Gu Yue Fang Yuan?" Gu Yue Mobei wanted to find Fang Yuan and get answers face to face. But Fang Yuan had already slipped out ahead of everyone else.