In May, the transition between spring and summer occurs.

The air is filled with the fragrance of flowers, and the mountains are lush and green. The sun begins to reveal its fervent side.

Under the azure sky, white clouds float like cotton.

On Green Reed Mountain, the bamboo forest stands tall and straight, pointing towards the heavens. Wild grass grows rampant everywhere, dotted with unknown wildflowers. A gentle breeze stirs, bringing with it the rich scent of pollen and fresh grass.

In the heart of the mountain, there are numerous terraced fields. Layer upon layer, step by step, tender green wheat seedlings have been planted, resembling a vast sea of vibrant green from afar.

Many farmers are busy in the terraced fields. Some are clearing the ditches for irrigation, while others have rolled up their pant legs, standing in the fields to plant seedlings.

These people are naturally outsiders, as the Gu Yue Tribe members do not engage in such menial work.

Ding-a-ling...

Amidst the spring breeze, the faint sound of camel bells can be heard.

The farmers straighten up and turn their heads towards the foot of the mountain.

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A merchant caravan, resembling a colorful long snake, slowly emerges from the mountain path.

"It's the merchant caravan!"

"Indeed, it's already May, the caravan should be here."

The adults understand, while the children abandon their play and mud, jumping and running towards the caravan.

The Southern Borderlands have a hundred thousand mountains, and Green Reed Mountain is just one of them. Each mountain is home to a stronghold, where people are bound by blood and kinship.

Between the mountains, the forests are deep and mysterious, with steep cliffs and dangerous rocks. The environment is complex, inhabited by numerous fierce beasts or strange and mysterious Gu insects.

Mortals find it difficult to traverse. An individual attempting to overcome these obstacles would need at least the cultivation of a Rank Three Gu Master.

Thus, the economy is poor, and trade is difficult. The primary form of trade is through merchant caravans.

Only by forming large-scale caravans can groups of Gu Masters help each other overcome the challenges and dangers, traveling from one mountain to another.

The arrival of the caravan is like pouring boiling water into the calm and peaceful Green Reed Mountain.

"In previous years, they arrived in April. This year, it's already May, and the caravan has just arrived. But at least they're here," the innkeeper sighed with relief upon hearing the news. Business at the inn is extremely slow during other months, relying on the caravan's arrival to bring in enough profit to sustain the year.

He also has some Green Bamboo Wine in stock, ready to sell to the caravan.

Not only the inn, but the taverns will also see a surge in business.

The caravan gradually enters Gu Yue Village, led by an Aura-Emitting Brass Toad. This toad stands two and a half meters tall, its body a bright orange, with a broad back covered in warty bumps resembling the large bronze rivets on ancient city gates.

On the back of the Aura-Emitting Brass Toad, a large pile of goods is secured with thick hemp ropes. At first glance, it looks like the toad is carrying a massive bundle.

A middle-aged man with a round, pockmarked face and a plump belly sits cross-legged on the toad's head. His eyes are squinted into slits as he greets the surrounding Gu Yue villagers with clasped hands.

This man is named Jia Fu, a Rank Four Gu Master and the leader of this caravan.

The toad hops forward slightly, with Jia Fu sitting steadily on its head. When it jumps, he is level with the second-floor windows, and even when it lands, he is higher than the first floor of the bamboo buildings.

The once spacious street now seems a bit narrow. The Aura-Emitting Brass Toad appears like a monster intruding among the bamboo buildings.

Following the toad is a large fat insect, its eyes like colorful stained glass, vibrant and dazzling. It stretches fifteen meters long, resembling a silkworm but covered in a thick layer of black glazed armor. Piles of goods are tied with hemp ropes on its back, with Gu Masters, both old and young, sitting in the gaps.

There are also mortals, all strong martial artists, following the Black-Skinned Fat Beetle on the ground.

After the fat beetle, there are colorful feathered camel chickens, fluffy Mountain Giant Spiders, and Winged Serpents with two wings. But these are few; most are still toads similar to the Aura-Emitting Brass Toad, only smaller, about the size of cattle or horses. They carry goods and people, hopping along with their bellies puffed out.

The caravan winds its way into the stronghold.

Along the way, children widen their eyes in curiosity, exclaiming and marveling.

Windows on the second floor open one after another, with mountain folk observing closely. Some eyes flash with caution, while others wave in warm welcome.

"Brother Jia, you're a bit late this year. It must have been a tough journey," Gu Yue Bo, as the tribe leader, personally welcomed the caravan leader.

Jia Fu, being a Rank Four Gu Master, would be slighted if only a Rank Three elder were to receive him.

Jia Fu clasped his hands and sighed, "This year hasn't been smooth. We encountered a group of Phantom Blood Bats on the way, losing quite a few good men. Then, at Cliff Mountain, we ran into mountain fog and dared not proceed. It delayed us quite a bit. I apologize for keeping Brother Gu Yue waiting."

His words were very polite.

Gu Yue Village needs the caravan to trade annually, and the caravan needs to make money peacefully.

"Haha, it's good that you made it. Please, the tribe has prepared food and wine to welcome you," Gu Yue Bo extended an invitation.

"The tribe leader is too kind, too kind," Jia Fu replied, feigning surprise.

The caravan reached the Green Reed Mountain area in the morning and settled into Gu Yue Village by noon. By evening, a vast area of temporary stalls had formed around the stronghold. Large tents in red, blue, yellow, and green were set up, with countless small ground stalls squeezed in between.

Night fell, but the area was brightly lit.

A constant stream of people flowed in from the village, both mortals and Gu Masters. Children jumped with joy, and adults wore expressions of festive joy.

Fang Yuan followed the crowd, walking alone into the area.

The crowd bustled, gathering around the stalls or entering and exiting the tents.

The air was filled with the calls of vendors.

"Come and see, top-quality Blue Ocean Cloud Tea Bricks! A sip of this tea and you'll feel like an immortal! Even if you don't drink it, it's a bargain to feed your Tea Gu. Only five Primordial Stones per brick!"

"Brute-Strength Longhorn Beetle Gu, once activated by a Gu Master, grants the strength of an ox. Don't miss out!"

"Heartfelt Herb, top-quality Heartfelt Herb, look at this freshness, as if it was just picked. Only two Primordial Stones per pound, what a bargain..."

Hearing this, Fang Yuan paused slightly, following the voice.

He saw an ostrich pulling a two-wheeled cart. The cart was piled with pale green grass. Each blade was a meter long, thin and narrow, only as wide as a fingernail. Some had heart-shaped red buds at the tips.

Heartfelt Herb is a supplementary feed for Gu insects, valued for its ability to be paired with other foods to nourish Gu insects.

For example, Fang Yuan feeds his Moonlight Gu two petals per meal. If mixed with a Heartfelt Herb, the Moonlight Gu would be satisfied with just one Moon Orchid Petal.

Heartfelt Herb costs only two Primordial Stones per pound, while ten Moon Orchid Petals cost one Primordial Stone. A quick calculation shows that mixing Heartfelt Herb for feeding Gu insects is more economical.

"Half a month ago, I killed Gao Wan and was fined thirty Primordial Stones for using the Moonlight Gu in the academy. However, the Mo Clan compensated me with thirty stones, so it wasn't a loss. Recently, I've robbed twice, totaling one hundred and eighteen Primordial Stones. But I've been consuming Intermediate True Essence to nourish the walls of my aperture, spending three stones daily. Adding the cost of feeding Gu insects, living expenses, and purchasing Green Bamboo Wine, I now have ninety-eight stones left."

Since Fang Yuan killed someone, his ruthless and cold image has left a deep impression on the students, and no one dares to challenge him. This has made his robberies much easier, with only a few daring to resist.

Fang Yuan calculated in his mind, then shifted his gaze, continuing to walk deeper into the temporary stall area.

A crowd surrounded the Heartfelt Herb stall, all Gu Masters or students, holding Primordial Stones and scrambling to buy.

Fang Yuan wasn't short of money to buy Heartfelt Herb, but he didn't have the time.

"If I remember correctly, that Lumpy Earth Toad should be in that shop. In my previous life, a Gu Master won it on the first night, making a fortune. I must hurry, can't miss the big opportunity for something small."