The footsteps grew louder, and soon the dark green trees along the slope were roughly pushed aside.
A tall man emerged into Fang Yuan's view.
His short black hair stood upright like bristles, and the upper half of his body was bare.
His physique was large and bulky, with muscles tinted a vivid red across his entire frame.
He stood nearly two meters tall, and in the chilly autumn air, he radiated heat like a walking furnace—each breath seeming to warm the surroundings.
Several wild animal carcasses hung from his waist, including foxes, wild rabbits, chickens, and even the old wolf that had just left.
When he saw Fang Yuan, he looked surprised for a moment but quickly continued walking, striding past him without a word.
He was Gu Yue Chi Shan
He was a representative of the Chi faction, with cultivation at the Rank two upper stage.
In many ways, his experiences mirrored those of Fang Yuan.
This man had been exceptionally strong since childhood.
At the age of ten, he accidentally beat a family servant to death. By twelve, he could lift a heavy stone grinder and toss it around like a toy. At the time, his family held high hopes for him, convinced he was an A-grade talent. But during the awakening ceremony, it was revealed that his talent was only B-grade.
Originally wild and arrogant, he looked down on everyone around him. However, after that harsh revelation, his attitude shifted—he matured quickly. Even with a B-grade talent, he rose to become the top student in his class.
After a year at the academy, he graduated and fought his way to the top. Years later, he was already recognized as one of the clan's elite Rank two Gu Masters.
Joy cannot teach the true meaning of life—only pain and hardship can.
In the clan, youths attend the awakening ceremony at the age of fifteen before entering the academy.
At sixteen, they graduate, form groups of five, and begin completing missions assigned by the clan, all while inheriting their family's legacy.
From that point on, they compete and fight, constantly striving to improve their cultivation.
As the missions grow more dangerous, their ranks and responsibilities rise as well.
Some fall in battle, others survive.
Some are injured and see their cultivation regress, forced to live out their days in quiet obscurity.
A few endure the trials, eventually reaching Rank three and earning the title of clan elder—becoming part of the leadership.
The more a Gu Master cultivates, the harder it gets, and advancing becomes way more difficult. Coupled with dangerous and tough living environment, those that can advance to Rank three are few to none.
"It's almost winter, which means I've already spent nearly a year at the academy. Each year, there are two examinations. The first is the mid-year exam, with different content each time. The second is the year-end exam, and its format never changes—it's always arena fights. After the arena fight, I won't be allowed to stay in the hostel anymore and will have to move out." Fang Yuan's gaze shone, thinking of many things.
Move out, but stay where?
Fang Yuan could not live with his aunt and uncle, which was what they wanted.
In this world, sixteen meant adulthood, the age to start reproduction. Coupled with Fang Yuan's numerous secrets, he needed to live independently.
"Five days before the year-end exam, I use this opportunity to break through to Rank two." Fang Yuan was already on the verge of advancing, his hard work and continuous nurturing of his aperture finally paying off.
"I wonder what will their reaction be when they found out, hehe." Fang Yuan softly chuckle
Fang Yuan still had quite a number of primeval stones left. This was mainly thanks to Jia Jin Sheng, who had 'contributed' a considerable amount.
Additionally, Fang Yuan was also saving many primeval stones by avoiding the exploration of inheritances and refraining from acquiring more Gu that would require feeding or usage. Even when hunting boars, he did his best to use little to no Gu at all in order to conserve primeval essence.
As a result, he was able to save up a significant number of primeval stones for his breakthrough.
Time passed quickly—autumn faded, and winter arrived.
Three dueling stages had already been set up in the academy's arena.
Near the bamboo fencing that enclosed the area, tents were pitched alongside long tables and chairs.
Under one of the tent covers sat the academy elder, the clan leader, and several other clan elders.
Snowflakes drifted gently from the sky.
On the arena grounds, fifty-seven students stood upright. The cold had turned their noses bright red, and every breath they exhaled came out as visible steam.
The academy elder spoke loudly, "In a flash a year has ended. During this year you were trained in the academy and have started to grasp the qualities of a Gu Master. Tomorrow, you will have the year end examination to test the fruits of your hard work! Not only will the clan leader and clan elders come personally to watch, your family elders and seniors will also come to observe to pick excellent performing students to join their small teams."
"Your performances tomorrow, will to a large extent affect your future. Getting first place, not only is it a hundred and fifty primeval stones, but you also get an advantage in picking Gu worms! Now, start the final cultivation check in your academic life!"
Saying so, the academy elder nodded to a Gu Master beside him.
The female Gu Master received the instructions and called out the name from the list.
"Gu Yue Jin Zhu!"
A young girl walked towards the Gu Master with a nervous expression.
The Gu Master stretched out her hand, touching the young girl's abdomen. She closed her eyes to feel, then opened her eyes and declared, "Gu Yue Jin Zhu, Rank one middle stage. Next, Gu Yue Peng."
One after another, youngsters went up to check. Then they walked back down and returned to the group. Their expressions varied, some were happy while others were upset. The worst result was naturally Rank one initial stage, all being the D-grade talents.
A large number of the students were Rank one middle stage, and little of them were B-grade, mostly C-grades.
"Gu Yue Chi Cheng." The middle-aged female Gu Master called.
From the group, the shortest Gu Yue Chi Cheng puffed his chest and walked out.
After checking, the female Gu Master opened her eyes, "Gu Yue Chi Cheng, Rank one peak stage!"
Up till now, this was the first Rank one peak stage Gu Master.
The clan elders present turned their heads.
Some elders recognised, saying lightly, "This is Chi Lian's grandson, having B-grade talent, no wonder."
Outside the tent, the youngsters also commented.
"Chi Cheng is Rank one peak stage, I wonder if Mo Bei is too? They are rivals after all."
"Being able to advance to peak stage, they are all A and B grades. Sigh, we C and D grades encounter bitterness that cannot be envied."
"Hmph!"
Gu Yue Mo Bei snorted, seeing Chi Cheng's proud expression, he was annoyed.
Gu Yue Fang Zheng clenched his fists, his lips tightly shut, as if he was stifling in his emotions.
"Gu Yue Mo Bei."
Soon, the examiner called.
The horse-faced Mo Bei quickly walked out.
"Gu Yue Mo Bei, Rank one peak stage."
With this declaration, he walked back and stared defiantly at Gu Yue Chi Cheng when returning.
The examination continued, and the snow in the sky became smaller, until it vanished.
The cold chilly air was rather refreshing.
"Gu Yue Fang Yuan."
The middle-aged female Gu Master called.
Fang Yuan walked up expressionlessly.
Soon after, she opened her eyes, looking at Fang Yuan in shock, her voice trembled as she stuttered, "G-Gu Yue Fang Yuan… Rank t-two initial stage!"
"R-rank t-two initial stage, did I hear wrongly? Fang Yuan cultivated to this level?" The youngsters were shocked.
"Sigh, he's just too lucky, having the Liquor worm to nurture his aperture. Even against the A and B grades, with his C-grade he isn't at a disadvantage." Some youngsters said with envy.
"All he did was sleep in class and drink wine after it was over, how could he have had the time and talent to reach Rank Two?!"
Especially those C-grade talents, they sourly said to console themselves, "This isn't much. The Liquor worm cannot refine Rank two primeval essence, Fang Yuan would no longer have such an advantage anymore."
"He reached Rank two already?!" Mo Bei and Chi Cheng stared at Fang Yuan.
Fang Zheng was also equally shocked.
"B-brother actually reached Rank t-two." Fang Zheng was trembling
All the students were complaining, and some even had minor mental breakdowns.
It wasn't surprising—after all, imagine one of your bullies, the one who always beat you up, stole your money, ignored and sleeps everyday in class, and spent all his time drinking and wasting his days after school…
Then imagine that same guy ending up with a higher test score than you—or worse, becoming the top student in the entire class.