"Put all the wine under the bed," Fang Yuan instructed the four inn assistants.

Each of them carried several jars of Green Bamboo Wine. After extorting the other students, Fang Yuan came to the inn and bought twenty jars in one go.

Each jar cost two Primordial Stones, and Fang Yuan spent forty Primordial Stones at once for the Wine Gu.

The money pouch that had just been filled was instantly half-empty, leaving only thirty-nine Primordial Stones. But it was worth it, as this wine could sustain the Wine Gu for a considerable time.

"Alright," the assistants quickly responded, not daring to show any disrespect to a Gu Master.

Moreover, Fang Yuan was a big customer, having purchased so much wine. A single word to the innkeeper could easily cost these assistants their jobs.

After the assistants left, Fang Yuan closed the door to his dormitory and sat cross-legged on the bed.

It was already night.

The sky was sparsely dotted with stars, and the night breeze carried a faint fragrance.

The room was unlit. Fang Yuan calmed his mind and focused his spirit on the Primal Sea.

The Primal Sea surged with waves, its waters emitting a bronze glow. Each wave was the unique Bronze True Essence of a Rank One Gu Master.

The Primal Sea only filled forty-four percent of the entire Empty Aperture, a limitation of Fang Yuan's Grade C Aptitude.

The walls of the aperture were a thin white light membrane, supporting and enclosing the aperture.

Above the Primal Sea, there was nothing. The Spring-Autumn Cicada, under Fang Yuan's control, had once again hidden itself, resting in slumber.

However, on the surface of the True Essence Sea, a chubby and adorable Wine Gu floated.

It frolicked freely in the True Essence Sea, sometimes diving underwater, sometimes wagging its tail, splashing droplets of water.

With a thought from Fang Yuan, the Wine Gu immediately responded, ceasing its play, curling into a dumpling shape, and floating leisurely to the center of the Empty Aperture, leaving the surface of the Bronze Sea.

"Go," Fang Yuan commanded, channeling ten percent of his True Essence into a thin stream, which surged upward and infused into the Wine Gu.

The Wine Gu had long been refined by him, accepting the True Essence without resistance, absorbing it entirely into its body.

Instantly, the forty-four percent sea level dropped slightly.

Using the True Essence as power, the dumpling-shaped Wine Gu began to emit a white radiance. In the glow, a mist of wine gradually formed, eventually coalescing into a pale white wine fog.

The wine fog was peculiar; it did not disperse but enveloped the Wine Gu.

"Rise," Fang Yuan thought, channeling another ten percent of his True Essence.

The Bronze Sea water surged into the wine fog, which merged into the sea water, diminishing until none remained. Meanwhile, the ten percent Bronze True Essence seemed to vanish, leaving only five percent.

But this five percent True Essence was more refined than before. The original True Essence was teal, with a bronze sheen. Now, the True Essence had a deeper green hue, becoming Teal True Essence.

Teal True Essence is possessed by a Rank One – Intermediate Stage Gu Master. The Wine Gu's function is to refine the True Essence, elevating the Gu Master's True Essence by a minor realm!

Gu Masters have nine major realms, from Rank One to Rank Nine. Each major realm is subdivided into four minor realms: Initial Stage, Intermediate Stage, Advanced Stage, and Peak.

Fang Yuan was currently only a Rank One – Initial Stage Gu Master, but with the help of the Wine Gu, he had half a portion of a Rank One – Intermediate Stage Gu Master's True Essence!

"To refine half a portion of Intermediate Stage True Essence, I need to consume twenty percent of Initial Stage True Essence. To convert the forty-four percent Primal Sea in my aperture to Intermediate Stage True Essence, I need to expend nearly one hundred eighty percent of Initial Stage True Essence. To achieve this quickly, I must rely on Primordial Stones."

With this thought, Fang Yuan opened his eyes and took out a duck egg-sized complete Primordial Stone from his pouch.

A Primordial Stone is an oval, semi-transparent stone, grayish-white, and as the Natural True Essence inside depletes, its size continuously shrinks.

He slowly closed his right hand, gripping the Primordial Stone tightly in his palm, absorbing the Natural True Essence inside and continuously replenishing his Empty Aperture.

The sea level in the Empty Aperture, which had previously fallen, began to rise slowly.

Primordial Stones are meant to be used; Fang Yuan was not stingy, nor would he save them.

"I have no backing, no support from family or friends, so I can only rely on robbery and extortion. Today was just the first time. From now on, every time the academy distributes Primordial Stone subsidies every seven days, I'll block the academy entrance again."

Robbing and extorting once could not satisfy Fang Yuan's appetite. In Gu Master cultivation, Primordial Stones are indispensable.

As for the impact of this robbery, Fang Yuan was not worried at all.

This world is different from Earth.

On Earth, schools often prohibit fighting, focusing on stability and harmony. But in this world, combat is the theme.

Whether Gu Masters or mortals, they must fight for survival. Sometimes it's battling terrifying beasts, sometimes it's braving harsh and violent weather, and sometimes it's competing for resources, fighting against other Gu Masters.

Therefore, controlled fighting is encouraged and advocated.

From childhood to adulthood, from fights to life-and-death battles, this is the life portrayal of most humans.

This world is vast and boundless. The Southern Borderlands where Fang Yuan lives alone is more expansive than the total area of seven or eight Earths. The living environment here is extremely harsh, and humans usually form clans, building strongholds and huddling in a corner.

Every so often, there are beast tides or extreme weather that strike the stronghold.

Gu Masters become the backbone of the stronghold's defense, and the annual attrition rate is quite severe.

Life requires people with a strong fighting spirit. Clans need Combat Gu Masters and never have too many.

Moreover, Fang Yuan acted with restraint.

He never attacked the chin, as it could easily cause a skull base fracture, leading to death. He also avoided hitting others on the back of the head. During fights, he didn't use fists, elbows, or finger pokes but used his palm. The number of kicks he delivered could be counted on one hand.

The students who fell were not seriously injured, at most lightly injured.

Fang Yuan was not bloodthirsty; he merely used killing as a means.

Every time he acted, he had a clear goal. Whatever means would allow him to achieve his goal quickly, he would use.

In other words, he was unscrupulous in his actions.

...

Dark clouds drifted over, covering the moonlight.

A layer of shadow enveloped Gu Yue Village.

The night watchman knocked on his clapper, reminding people that it was late at night, to be cautious of fires, to guard against beast attacks, and to be wary of Gu Masters from outside villages who might sneak in.

Many lights in the stronghold were still burning.

In the Chi branch family, the study of Gu Yue Chi Lian was brightly lit.

This elderly man of high status and authority was gently comforting his grandson, Gu Yue Chi Cheng, "I heard you were beaten by that Fang Yuan today?"

Gu Yue Chi Cheng's right eye was blackened, and he said angrily, "Yes, Grandpa. That Fang Yuan, just a mere Grade C, is so arrogant. He blocked us at the door, disregarding the camaraderie of classmates, and robbed us of our Primordial Stones. What's more infuriating is that the academy turned a blind eye. It wasn't until Fang Yuan swaggered away that the guards arrived. Grandpa, you must help your grandson vent this anger!"

Gu Yue Chi Lian shook his head, "This is a matter between you young ones. You were only extorted for a mere Primordial Stone, and you weren't seriously injured. I have no grounds to intervene. Even if you were seriously injured, I wouldn't stand up for you. Do you know why?"

Gu Yue Chi Cheng was stunned. He pondered hard and hesitantly said, "Grandpa, I somewhat understand your meaning. You want me to rely on my own strength to regain face, right?"

"You've only understood one aspect," Gu Yue Chi Lian nodded. "You must remember, you represent not just yourself but the image of our Chi branch. Our Chi Clan has been at odds with the Mo Clan for years. Your every move represents the future hope of the Chi Clan. I can help you in secret, but you must establish an image of self-reliance and independence. Otherwise, the elders supporting us will see no future hope and will abandon our Chi Clan."

Sighing, Gu Yue Chi Lian continued, "That's why I helped you cheat, letting you pretend to have Grade B Aptitude. Our Chi Clan needs a strong heir to keep our supporters steadfast."

Gu Yue Chi Cheng suddenly realized, "Grandpa, I understand."

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Gu Yue Chi Lian shook his head, "Understanding is not enough; you must strive and work hard. The matter with Fang Yuan is a minor trouble. You need to diligently practice basic martial arts and regain your dignity. At the same time, don't forget to cultivate hard and advance to the Intermediate Stage as soon as possible. It would be best to seize the position of Squad Leader, which is a great honor and would also benefit our Chi Clan."

"Yes, Grandpa," Gu Yue Chi Cheng responded loudly.

"Haha, this spirit is what befits the heir of our Chi branch. Work hard, my grandson, and Grandpa will do his utmost to support you."