With a heavy thud, the frenzy lightning wolf collapsed like a giant beast.
Its jaws hung open, but its eyes were blank as life faded away.
Wounds covered its body, and dark wolf blood gushed out, staining the ground red.
Rain kept falling, thinning the blood and spreading it deeper into the mud.
The earth turned slick and messy.
Nearby, several elders stood by the carcass, breathing heavily.
Drenched in rain, mud, and blood, they looked more like beggars than warriors.
"Finally killed it!"
"This frenzy lightning wolf actually had a defensive Gu worm in its body, and was so difficult to take down..."
"Luckily we had elder Fang Yuan's Blood Moon Gu accumulating injuries on it, or else it would have been even more difficult trying to kill it."
As the elders spoke, they turned their eyes to Fang Yuan.
At first, they had disapproved of him refining the Blood Moon Gu. But now, it was clear the Gu was highly effective against the frenzy lightning wolves.
"I am flattered, fellow esteemed elders, if not for your assistance and protection, I would not have been able to attack so relentlessly." Fang Yuan wiped the rain water off his face as he said politely.
"No, no, it is our duty."
"We are old people already. We didn't feel it before, but after fighting together with elder Fang Yuan, we feel that we have truly aged."
"Indeed, indeed."
The elders shared a laugh together.
In the earlier fight, Fang Yuan showed precise timing in both attack and retreat. His fierce tactics were often more effective than those of veteran elders, making them see him differently.
Combined with his polite, modest manner and lack of arrogance, he was nothing like the rumors of him being aloof and defiant. As a result, the elders gained a favorable impression of him.
"I still have many aspects that need to be learnt from all of you," Fang Yuan said respectfully, but his eyes shone with a dark light.
"Quick, save our clansmen!"
"Sweep the battlefield, don't miss a single Gu worm!"
Seeing the frenzy lightning wolf fall, a group of healing Gu Masters immediately came forth.
"Esteemed elders, you all have exerted yourselves, please accept special treatment from our medicine hall." The leading Gu Master bowed towards Fang Yuan and the elders.
"Oh... medicine faction's Li Chen." The few clan elders recognised this person, nodding and changing their expression.
They greeted Fang Yuan warmly, all smiles and courtesy.
But with this person, they stayed stern, showing their higher status.
Such was the gap in status.
Gu Yue Li Chen was only a Rank two Gu Master.
"I have no injuries, I do not require treatment. Elders, let's talk again when we are free." Fang Yuan nodded to the elders.
"Elder Fang Yuan is so outstanding, he's not even injured from such a battle, what a true young hero!"
"Sigh, compared to Elder Fang Yuan, we are really old."
"Hehe, take care of yourself, Elder Fang Yuan."
The few elders started to laugh as they spoke.
"Elder Fang Yuan, please pardon my rudeness, but do allow our medicine hall healing Gu Master to do a check-up for you," Gu Yue Li Chen insisted.
He belonged to the medicine faction and naturally resented Fang Yuan for driving Gu Yue Yao Ji to collapse and lose her post. But given his role and status, as the leader he couldn't ignore Fang Yuan.
"Thanks for your goodwill, but it's fine. I'll see everyone again!" Fang Yuan patted Gu Yue Li Chen's shoulder, leaving with a smile.
The elders smiled or nodded in response.
But once he was gone, their faces turned serious.
Though Fang Yuan was only C-grade, reaching this level was remarkable. Fighting beside him, they sensed his cold, ruthless nature, which left them uneasy. At seventeen, none of them had achieved so much.
Seeing him smile and pat the medicine faction member's shoulder, they couldn't help but be impressed by his political skill and cunning.
"Lord Fang Yuan, do you recognise me?" Along the road, a person showed a respectful expression as he greeted Fang Yuan.
"You are…" Fang Yuan squinted, recognising this person as his classmate.
"Lord Fang Yuan, I am Gu Yue Ding Zong. To have the fortune to be your classmate, that is my honor. Actually, after news that you had advanced to a clan elder spread, many of our classmates admired and were envious of you lord, wanting to find an opportunity to discuss cultivation experiences with you. Are you free tonight, lord?" Gu Yue Ding Zong rubbed his hands, his eyes smiling into a line.
"Oh, is that so..." Fang Yuan's eyebrows raised, nodding, "Okay, but let me change my clothes first, this drenched attire is making me uncomfortable."
"I have already prepared warm water and new clothes, and several beautiful attendants are waiting for serve you Lord!" Gu Yue Ding Zong smiled, his expression very eager.
"Is that so? In that case, led the way." Fang Yuan nodded.
After several beautiful attendants helped wash him and dress him in clean clothes, Fang Yuan and Gu Yue Ding Zong made their way to the gathering point.
Gu Yue Ding Zong brought Fang Yuan into the bamboo building. There was already a feast prepared as many people were sitting there.
On seeing Fang Yuan, they quickly got up.
Soon after, all sorts of praises and flattery rushed like water toward Fang Yuan.
"Greetings to Lord Fang Yuan."
"After so long, Elder Fang Yuan's glory is greater than ever, this lowly one truly admires you!"
"To be Lord Fang Yuan's classmate is my fortune from three lifetimes! Even thinking about it now feels like a dream..."
Fang Yuan's gaze swept across the table, seeing all his classmates; familiar faces, all people he had once extorted.
"My pleasure." He lightly smiled, sitting at the highest position.
"Serve the dishes, serve the best wine!" Gu Yue Ding Zong shouted, and the servants quickly got to work.
All sorts of dishes were served, their flavors top-notch; this Gu Yue Ding Zong's family clearly had resources. To present such a feast during the wolf tide showed he had paid a high price to prove his sincerity.
"Elder Fang Yuan, this lowly one toasts you!"
"Elder Fang Yuan, please drink at your own pace, I'll finish mine first!"
Fang Yuan was casual. With a cup of wine, he only took a small sip each time, but no one dared complain.
After toasting almost everyone and having drunk a fair amount, he suddenly held his cup and stood up, laughing, "The young are foolish. I was immature in the past and did some terrible things. I hope everyone can forgive me and not dwell on the past."
Once he stood up, no one else dared remain seated, and all of them quickly got up.
Everyone knew he was referring to the primeval stone extortion.
They quickly shouted, "Not at all, not at all!"
"Elder Fang Yuan truly has character, a true hero!"
"To have my primeval stones taken by Elder Fang Yuan was our greatest honor!"
"That's right, Elder Fang Yuan's strength and spirit have always stayed in my heart..."
Fang Yuan drank this cup of wine in one mouthful, as everyone cheered and clapped.
Fang Yuan put down his cup, sitting down.
Only then did everyone dare to sit down. Among them, not all the classmates were present. For example, Mo Bei, Chi Cheng, and the others with strong backgrounds, were not among the ones present.
"It's about time, I have to go. This was a well-organised meetup." Fang Yuan showed his inclination to leave.
Gu Yue Ding Zong upon hearing the praise, was overjoyed and quickly stood up, taking out a money bag from his pocket.
The bag was filled with primeval stones.
He smiled and bowed, "Upon hearing lord's wisdom today, I've felt a strong sense of enlightenment, reaping a great reward. This is a small gift, but I hope lord can accept my token of gratitude."
He had been spouting empty flattery since the banquet began, so there was no way he'd gained any enlightenment.
Yet everyone pretended it was true, loudly insisting Fang Yuan accept his thanks.
Fang Yuan didn't refuse. He smiled calmly and accepted the money bag.
Then the second and third came forward in turn, each offering gifts—all primeval stones.
"Alright, alright." Fang Yuan smiled as he accepted them all.
Dozens of bags packed with primeval stones piled up, far too many for Fang Yuan to carry alone.
Seeing this, Gu Yue Ding Zong quickly called several servants to help.
In just a short while, Fang Yuan had collected nearly ten thousand primeval stones.
Lastly, Fang Yuan slowly stood up, raising his cup once again, "Our encounter is by fate; this classmate relationship, both you and I remember it at heart. This is truly worth drinking over."
"Yes!"
"Well said, Lord Fang Yuan."
"Such perfect phrasing, taking the words right out of our hearts, this is talent no doubt!"