Gu Yue Bo took Fang Zheng's expression into consideration and etched it into his mind.
Those who were rulers had their unique ability. Although Gu Yue Bo and Fang Zheng did not interact for long, Gu Yue Bo's experienced gaze had already seen through Fang Zheng.
Him telling Fang Zheng about Mo Bei and Chi Cheng's decisions had deeper meaning.
It was to help Fang Zheng analyze these two people, for he anticipated him defeating the two of them and establishing the role of clan leader with his A-grade talent.
But Gu Yue Bo would not say it out loud, and would not instigate Fang Zheng's actions.
As the clan leader, his every word and action had political implications. If he directly controlled Fang Zheng and dealt with Chi Cheng and Mo Bei, if words spread it might be misunderstood as the clan leader's political assault. If that's the case, the implication would be huge and it might even cause a clan dispute, harming the entire village.
There was another point – Gu Yue Bo was waiting for Fang Zheng to understand his intentions. He spent time and effort to nurture Fang Zheng, but it was not to nurture a Rank four or five fighter. A fighter without political knowledge was like a double edged sword. He needed the future leader for the clan!
"I analyzed Mo Bei and Chi Cheng's personality for Fang Zheng, but he did not notice my intention, instead asking about Fang Yuan's situation. It seems that he has great trauma regarding Fang Yuan, but he is also at his rebellious stage. He wants to beat Fang Yuan, that's understandable. Sigh, if only Fang Zheng had Fang Yuan's intelligence, I've seen many youngsters these years, but when it comes to political wits, Fang Yuan tops them all. It is a pity he only has C-grade talent.
Gu Yue Bo sighed internally but his smile grew even gentler.
He took out a Gu worm from his pocket.
"This is — Jade Skin Gu?" Fang Zheng said lightly, eyes widening as he saw the Gu worm.
Gu Yue Bo said, "Compared to the Bronze Skin Gu, this Jade Skin Gu is much better, not only using less primeval essence but also giving greater defense. Fang Zheng, do you want it?"
"Clan leader!" Fang Zheng was shocked, staring at Gu Yue Bo and stammering, "I… of course I want it."
"I can give it to you." Gu Yue Bo smiled even more warmly. "But as the clan leader, I have to be impartial and cannot give it to you for no reason, thus I have a condition."
Fang Zheng nodded repeatedly, eyes wide. "What condition?"
Gu Yue Bo's smile vanished, replaced by a stern expression. "I want you to be the first to break through Rank one into Rank two, to be first place in cultivation! And this Jade Skin Gu will be your advancement reward."
"Ah, advance to Rank two?" Gu Yue Fang Zheng hesitated. He had just reached Rank one middle stage; there was still upper stage, then peak stage.
But now Gu Yue Bo wanted him to be the first to reach Rank two.
"What's wrong, are you afraid? Then I can only give this Gu to someone else." Gu Yue Bo pretended to put away the Jade Skin Gu.
Fang Zheng, spurred on by this, felt his blood rush as he shouted, "No, I promise you! I will defeat everyone and be the first Rank two cultivator!"
"That's the way." Gu Yue Bo smiled again, placing the Jade Skin Gu in Fang Zheng's hand.
He thought to himself, "Fang Zheng, I know you feel inferior, but this inferiority complex is too harmful to your growth. The best way to dispel it is through success. You have A grade talent, so advancing to Rank two first is your greatest advantage, and also the easiest success you can achieve. You must succeed, for if you fail even this, I would be too disappointed."
The temperature these few days had gotten higher. The sun shone intensely in the afternoon, hanging right over everyone's head. The caravan left and the inn's business fell again. Fang Yuan stepped into the cafeteria, immediately attracting the attention of the shop assistants. A familiar face rushed over and gave him a flattering smile. "Oh, young master, you're here! Please take a seat!"
"Give me a jar of wine and cut me 600g of beef, and serve a few side dishes." Fang Yuan strode through the cafeteria and approached the window seat that he always sat at.
The shop assistant showed a difficult expression, "Young master, my apologies but during the last time the caravan came, the innkeeper sold all of the green bamboo wine. We do not have this wine here anymore."
Fang Yuan nodded, not feeling surprised, "Then give me a jar of rice wine and tell the innkeeper, brew more green bamboo wine this year, I am pre-ordering a hundred jars. As for how much the advance payment will be, you can count first and report to me."
Now that the Liquor worm was exposed and did not gather any suspicion, Fang Yuan did not have to be restrained in buying wine anymore.
"Alright, I will definitely convey your words! Please be at ease young master." The shop assistant patted his chest, sounding confident.
Soon, the dishes were served.
Fang Yuan drank and ate while staring out of the window.
In such hot weather, especially during meal times, there were few people on the streets.
The sunlight shone on the ground and the green-coloured bamboo tall-houses.
"Now should be the time for me to get the map." Fang Yuan thought as he eats the meal.
After finishing his meal, Fang Yuan called out "Shop assistant, bill!" and after footing the bill, he left the inn.
These few days the academy was on break so that the students could refine their second Gu worm. Fang Yuan decided that he could use this time well.
The mountain forest stretched endlessly, and Fang Yuan moved through it with steady patience.
Sunlight filtered down through the towering trees, casting fragmented shadows across the forest floor.
Soft green grass cushioned his steps like a thick carpet, while vibrant wildflowers added splashes of color to the landscape.
Birdsong and the gentle murmur of flowing streams filled the air, creating a tranquil backdrop.
As he ventured farther from the village and deeper into the outskirts, the danger increased—prompting Fang Yuan to be even more cautious.
The wilderness was perilous.
Typically, only Gu Masters with Rank three cultivation dared to explore it alone.
Even then, it didn't guarantee survival; countless Rank three Gu Masters had lost their lives in the wild, and even Rank four cultivators were not immune to its hazards.
Ferocious beasts, venomous insects, hostile humans, and unpredictable weather—all posed lethal threats.
Fang Yuan is repeating his previous life steps as he first ventures out to kill wild boars.
Time gradually passed, but Fang Yuan gained nothing and he was not worry.
"Oh, finally." When Fang Yuan finally found the wild boar, he saw that it had fallen into a huge pit. A sharpened green bamboo was situated at the bottom of the pit, where it had pierced the wild boar and was causing it to bleed.
"Now to wait for the hunters." Fang Yuan had initially planned to ambush the hunters, but he decided against it, as it might cause the two other mortals to give conflicting statements when they tried to explain the situation to Wang Da, a demonic path Gu Master hiding in the mountains.
After a few seconds, human voices were heard.
"Second brother Wang, within our village, no one is better than you at hunting. Especially killing wild boars, your family's Old Wang is the hunting king in the entire region, who would not know of his great name?"
"That's right, second brother Wang inherited the old hunter's abilities. To hunt a wild boar, it is naturally as good as caught!"
"Second brother Wang, why didn't little sister Wang come with you today?"
After all the bootlicking, a grave and stern voice said, "Hmph! Hunting a wild boar, how can it show my true abilities? Today I want to kill three boars, you'll see! Er Gou Dan, stop lusting after my sister, or I'll thrash you!!!"
Er Gou Dan retorted, "Men and women marry when they're of age, what's wrong with liking little sister Wang? Moreover, I'm not the only one, which guy in your village doesn't also fancy her too? Second brother Wang, in my opinion you are also nineteen already, you should marry a wife and have kids already."
The voice spoke again, "Hmph, I'm a true blue man, how can I lust after such a small temptation? One day, I will leave this Qing Mao Mountain and explore the world and learn about everything under the sky, that will truly be fitting of my manly status!"
Saying so, the four young hunters walked out of the forest.
The leader hunter had a tall build, carrying a bow and arrow, his muscles bulging and his eyes full of spirit, showing a powerful aura.
When he saw Fang Yuan, he frowned and screamed, "Hmm? Which village are you from kid, how dare you try to take advantage of me Wang Er, quickly get lost!"