About three hundred years ago, a genius emerged within the Gu Yue Clan.

He was exceptionally talented, reaching the level of a Rank Five Gu Master while still young, with the potential to advance even further. His fame spread across Green Reed Mountain, and he was entrusted with hope and heavy responsibilities by his clan members.

He was the Fourth Generation Clan Leader, the most celebrated figure in the history of the Gu Yue Tribe.

Unfortunately, to protect his clan, the Fourth Generation Clan Leader fought against the Wine-loving Wanderer, who was also a Rank Five Gu Master. Although he defeated the Wanderer in a fierce battle, forcing him to kneel and beg for mercy, he was ultimately caught off guard and treacherously attacked by the Wanderer.

In his rage, the Fourth Generation Clan Leader killed the Wanderer, but he himself was gravely injured and died young.

This tragic story has been passed down to this day, widely recounted among the Gu Yue people.

However, Fang Yuan understood that the story couldn't be entirely trusted, as it contained a significant flaw.

In his previous life, a month later, a Gu Master, drunk and heartbroken, lay outside the stronghold, and the scent of alcohol unexpectedly attracted a Wine Gu.

The Gu Master chased the Wine Gu and discovered the remains of the Wine-loving Wanderer in a hidden underground cave, along with his personal belongings.

The Gu Master hurried back to the clan to report the discovery, causing a great stir.

After the commotion settled, he benefited from it, obtained the Wine Gu, improved his cultivation, and even his ex-girlfriend, who had abandoned him, pursued him again, making him a prominent figure in the village for a time.

Stories change as they are passed down, which is normal. But Fang Yuan remembered the Gu Master's account of discovering the hidden legacy, which seemed very credible, yet he suspected that other truths might be hidden within.

"I didn't notice before, but as I've been exploring and analyzing these past few days, I've found something peculiar about this event." As night deepened, Fang Yuan walked through the bamboo forest surrounding the stronghold, reviewing and integrating all known clues in his mind.

"Put yourself in the shoes of that Gu Master. If I were him and discovered the Wine-loving Wanderer's hidden legacy, why wouldn't I keep it all to myself and instead report it to the clan? Don't talk about clan honor; people are greedy. What compelled that Gu Master to go against his desires and willingly give up all the benefits to report the discovery to the clan's higher-ups?"

The truth is often shrouded in the mists of history, and despite racking his brains, Fang Yuan couldn't find an answer.

After all, there were too few clues. The only two clues available were themselves a mix of truth and falsehood, not entirely reliable.

Fang Yuan couldn't help but think about his situation: "No matter what, after buying this jar of Green Bamboo Wine, I only have two Primordial Stones left. If I can't find the hidden legacy, I'll be in trouble. This move today is a gamble!"

However, he didn't have enough Primordial Stones for refining Gu insects. Instead, investing in this wine might increase the success rate of this venture.

If it were someone else, most would probably save up Primordial Stones step by step.

But for Fang Yuan, that approach was too inefficient. He preferred to take risks and gamble.

After all, those in the demonic path always liked adventure.

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At this moment.

The night grew deeper, and the spring moon hung like a bow.

Floating clouds veiled the moonlight, as if draping a thin veil over the crescent moon.

After a continuous three-day and three-night rain, the mountain's turbid air had been washed clean, leaving only the purest freshness.

This fresh air, as pure as a blank sheet of paper, was more conducive to the spread of the wine's aroma. This was one of the reasons for Fang Yuan's confidence tonight.

"This is the last area left unexplored." Reaching a bamboo grove, he stopped.

The exploration over the past seven days hadn't been fruitless. At least it proved that the Wine-loving Wanderer hadn't died in those places.

This was Fang Yuan's second reason for confidence.

In the bamboo grove, lush grass and white flowers spread, and the Green Spear Bamboo stood straight like jade rods.

Fang Yuan opened the clay seal of the small wine jar, and a rich aroma of wine immediately wafted out.

Green Bamboo Wine was considered the best wine in Gu Yue Village. This was Fang Yuan's third reason for confidence tonight.

"With these three major reasons accumulated, if success is to be achieved, it must be tonight!" Fang Yuan silently encouraged himself while slowly tilting the wine jar, pouring a small stream of Green Bamboo Wine onto a stone.

If those hunters saw this scene, they would surely feel heartbroken. This wine was worth two Primordial Stones...

But Fang Yuan remained unmoved.

The fragrant wine aroma quickly spread, and in the night, a gentle breeze carried the subtle scent, permeating the bamboo grove.

Fang Yuan stood still, inhaling the wine's fragrance, and waited for a moment, but there was no movement.

Only the call of a nightingale-like bird could be heard in the distance, its voice like a string of silver bells.

His gaze remained calm, unsurprised, as he moved his steps and headed to the next location a few hundred meters away.

There, he repeated the process, pouring out a stream of wine and waiting for a moment.

After several attempts, moving to different spots and pouring wine multiple times, the Green Bamboo Wine in the jar was nearly depleted.

"This is the last time." Fang Yuan sighed inwardly, turning the wine jar completely upside down, pouring out the last bit of wine.

The wine spilled onto the grass, causing the grass to sway, and the wildflowers, wet with wine dew, drooped slightly.

Fang Yuan stood still, holding onto his last hope, and gazed around.

By now, the night was deep.

A thick cloud cover obscured the moonlight here.

The shadows were dark like a curtain, covering the bamboo grove.

All around was silent, with the Green Spear Bamboo standing alone, leaving vertical silhouettes in Fang Yuan's eyes.

He stood quietly, listening to his own clear breathing, feeling the last bit of hope in his heart slowly fade away.

"Did I fail after all?" he murmured to himself, "Even with the accumulation of three advantages tonight, I couldn't succeed, couldn't find a trace of the Wine Gu. This means the chances of success in the future will be even lower. I only have two Primordial Stones left and still need to refine the Moonlight Gu. I can't take any more risks."

The result of taking risks often isn't ideal. But when it is, the rewards are substantial.

Fang Yuan liked taking risks, but he wasn't a gambler, not someone who, after losing, would desperately try to win back his losses.

He had his limits, and he knew his resources.

Now, with five hundred years of life experience, he knew it was time to stop.

Sometimes, life is like that, with a goal so beautiful and tempting. It seems within reach, but despite all efforts, it's unattainable. It keeps one tossing and turning, thinking day and night.

"This is life's helplessness, but also its charm." Fang Yuan shook his head with a wry smile and turned to leave.

Just then.

A breeze blew, like a gentle arm, softly brushing away the floating clouds in the night sky.

The clouds drifted by, revealing the crescent moon.

The crescent moon hung in the sky like a white jade cup, pouring down moonlight as clear as water.

Moonlight spilled over the Green Reed Bamboo Forest, over the rocks, over the mountain streams, and over Fang Yuan.

Fang Yuan, dressed in simple clothes, had a youthful face that appeared even fairer under the gentle touch of the moonlight.

Darkness seemed to retreat in an instant, replaced by a ground covered in frost-like brilliance.

As if inspired by the moonlight, the silent nightingales began to sing again, not just one, but several, scattered throughout the bamboo grove, responding to each other.

At the same time, dragon-pill crickets, creatures that lived in the mountains and became active under the moonlight, began their rustling life song.

These insects, which only came out at night and emitted a red glow, now leaped out in groups, each one shining with a red agate-like brilliance.

At a glance, the dragon-pill crickets looked like a stream of jumping red water, treading on the grass and wildflowers, leaping through the moonlit bamboo grove.

The bamboo grove seemed to be filled with clear water, and the jade-like Green Spear Bamboo glowed with a lustrous jade-like brilliance under the moonlight.

In this moment, nature revealed its beauty and elegance to Fang Yuan.

Unconsciously, Fang Yuan stopped, feeling as if he were in a fairyland.

He had been about to leave, but now instinctively turned to look again.

The wildflower grass where he had poured the Green Bamboo Wine swayed gently in the wind, still empty.

Fang Yuan smiled wryly at himself and withdrew his gaze.

However.

In the process of lifting his eyes, he caught sight of a white snow-like shadow.

This snow-like shadow clung to a nearby Green Spear Bamboo stalk, appearing like a round pearl hanging in the moonlight.

Fang Yuan's pupils suddenly widened, his body trembled slightly, and his heart pounded, beating faster and faster.

It was the Wine Gu!