These past few days, the temperature kept climbing.
At noon, the blazing sun hung high, pouring down its heat without restraint.
With the merchant caravan gone, business at the inn grew quiet once more.
Fang Yuan stepped into the dining hall, immediately drawing the attendants' attention.
A familiar face hurried over with eager fawning, a sycophantic grin plastered across his features: "Ah, Young Master, you're here! Please, come in and have a seat."
"Give me a jar of wine, a jin of sliced beef, and a few side dishes." Fang Yuan entered the dining hall and headed for his usual spot by the window.
The attendant's face showed some discomfort: "Young Master, I'm sorry. When the merchant caravan came through last time, the shopkeeper sold off all the Green Bamboo Wine. We don't have any left now."
Fang Yuan nodded, not particularly surprised. "Then give me a jar of rice wine instead. Also, tell the shopkeeper to brew extra Green Bamboo Wine this year—I want to pre-order a hundred jars. As for the deposit, calculate how much first, then report back to me."
Now that the Wine Worm had been exposed and no one suspected a thing, there was no longer any need to worry about the matter of buying wine.
"Right away, I'll be sure to pass on the message! Young Master, you can rest easy." The attendant patted his chest, his tone emphatic.
Soon, the wine and food were served.
Fang Yuan ate and drank while gazing out the window.
The sweltering heat, combined with the mealtime hour, meant few pedestrians on the streets.
Sunlight fell upon the ground and the verdant stilted bamboo buildings.
Some barefoot farmers, their feet caked with mud, walked ahead—some carrying iron shovels, others bearing shoulder poles. They had clearly just finished their fieldwork and were heading home.
Two children ran ahead, one holding a small bamboo pinwheel high above, his little legs pumping. Another chased behind, crying and shouting—it seemed the mischievous boy in front had snatched the pinwheel.
At that moment, two young Gu Masters strode past, wearing green sashes at their waists, moving with hurried urgency.
"Get out of the way, don't block the road!" One of the Gu Masters shoved the farmer in front.
The farmers scrambled aside in alarm.
"Hmph." The two young Gu Masters walked past with cold, arrogant expressions.
Fang Yuan watched them, his gaze growing slightly distant as part of his awareness drifted into his Empty Orifice.
Within the Empty Orifice, the Water Film flowed silently, waves rising and falling across the surface of the Bronze True Essence Sea.
The Wine Worm bobbed up and down in the Yuan Sea, occasionally rolling around contentedly, occasionally curling into a neat little ball.
The Spring Autumn Cicada remained in deep slumber, its form concealed.
The plump White Pig Gu flew overhead, circling through the air.
White Pig Gu and Black Pig Gu were equally renowned, both rare Gu Insects of the First Transformation rank. On the market, their prices exceeded even the Wine Worm.
Though they served similar functions and resembled each other in appearance, their advancement paths diverged.
The Black Pig Gu combined with the Qing Si Gu to refine into the Second Transformation Hei Zong Gu, which could then advance to the Third Transformation Gang Zong Gu.
The White Pig Gu's optimal advancement path was to combine with the Jade Skin Gu, refining into the Second Transformation White Jade Gu, which could then advance to the Third Transformation Tian Peng Gu.
The Gang Zong Gu made a Gu Master's hair hard as steel needles, serving both offensive and defensive purposes. The Tian Peng Gu hardened the Gu Master's entire skin like white jade while simultaneously reducing the effectiveness of attacks such as the Moon Blade.
Fang Yuan's heart filled with a quiet sense of delight.
Obtaining the White Pig Gu was only one part of it. What truly pleased him was the strength inheritance left by Hua Jiu Xing Zhe.
"The White Pig Gu enhances physical strength, and Hua Jiu Xing Zhe placed a boulder to block the path. It seems he wants me to refine this White Pig Gu, build up my strength, then push the boulder aside and continue forward. This must be the first trial."
"Following Hua Jiu Xing Zhe's intent in setting up this checkpoint, I can infer that in the inheritance ahead, there will definitely be a second and third trial. Most importantly, I can confirm that this strength inheritance he established is not some massive trap, but was set up in good faith."
"With this inheritance, I can reach the Third Transformation faster, leave Qing Mao Mountain, venture out into the world, and seize the initiative!"
What did a Gu Master need most for their cultivation?
The answer was just two words—resources.
For Fang Yuan to cultivate, he needed resources. But the clan's resources were limited, and if you wanted resources, you had to compete.
Not only did you have to compete, you had to win.
For him, the more competition he won, the more of his trump cards he had to reveal—and the more wary others became of him.