Deep within the southern frontier, hidden among layers of mountains, lay Gu Yue Mountain Village. A fine drizzle fell like woven threads, while scattered lights flickered through the curtain of rain, revealing the warmth of life within the Gu Yue clan.
A young man stood quietly by the window. His deep eyes seemed capable of devouring all thoughts. He let the rain brush against his face as his gaze pierced through the falling drizzle, staring at something unknown in the distance.
At that moment, another young man—almost identical in appearance—gently pushed the door open, breaking the silence.
"Brother, why are you standing by the window getting wet from the rain?" he asked with concern.
Fang Yuan turned his head. A trace of complicated emotion flashed through his eyes, but he quickly raised his brows and returned to his usual cold expression.
'Oh, it's you... my twin brother.'
"I saw your window was still open, so I came in quietly to close it. Tomorrow is the aperture awakening ceremony. If uncle and aunt find out you stayed up this late, they'll definitely worry."
His younger brother's words were full of care.
However, Fang Yuan showed little reaction. He knew very well that since childhood, his brother had always lived under his shadow. Though they looked alike, their fates were completely different.
Fang Yuan possessed talent as dazzling as a diamond, while his brother was as ordinary as a pebble by the roadside.
'Worry?' Fang Yuan let out a cold sneer, bitterness rising in his heart.
He remembered clearly—back in his previous life, their parents died during a clan mission. At the age of three, he and his brother became orphans. Their uncle and aunt took them in, but only because they coveted their parents' inheritance. Not only did they seize it, they also treated the two brothers harshly.
Fang Yuan was a transmigrator. He originally intended to hide his abilities and live quietly, but in the end, he had no choice but to reveal his extraordinary talent.
He understood well that so-called "genius" was merely the result of a mature soul from another world. In his previous life of two hundred years, he struggled with mediocre aptitude, while his brother was the true favored child of heaven.
At tomorrow's ceremony, his brother would reveal A-grade aptitude and be accepted as a direct disciple by the clan leader, Gu Yue Bo.
Yet his brother failed to see the truth. After rising in status, he grew jealous of Fang Yuan, suppressing and excluding him, until Fang Yuan was forced to leave the village early and wander with merchant caravans.
But this time would be different.
Using the Spring Autumn Cicada, he had been reborn 500 years into the past. In this life, Fang Yuan would no longer accept mediocrity or repeat the past where he was oppressed by his own brother.
Five hundred years of experience had allowed him to see through the world.
There was only one thing in his heart—
'Revenge is not my goal. Since I have chosen the demonic path, then in my dictionary as a great figure of the demonic path... there is no such thing as compromise.'
Fang Yuan sneered inwardly.
He turned back and said indifferently, "You may leave."
At that moment, a sudden thunderclap roared outside Gu Yue Mountain Village.
Even Fang Yuan, with 500 years of experience, was startled, unable to understand what was happening.
In the next instant, as far as the eye could see, a curtain of light covered the entire world.
[The Ten Thousand Worlds Ranking has officially begun!]
[Ding! Gu Yue Fang Yuan, you have successfully joined the Ten Thousand Worlds Chat Group!]
[Bai Ning Bing has joined the chat group]
[Gu Yue Fang Zheng has joined the chat group]
[Duke Long has joined the chat group]
[Feng Jiu Ge has joined the chat group]
[Han Pao Pao (Han Li) has joined the chat group]
[Tang San has joined the chat group]
[Yu Xiao Gang has joined the chat group]
[Hun Tian Di has joined the chat group]
In an instant, it felt as if an invisible force was pulling everything together. Countless protagonists and side characters from different web novels were swept into a strange space, joining a mysterious group known as the "Ten Thousand Worlds Chat Group."
Fang Yuan felt his vision blur.
A massive screen of light slowly appeared before him, like a gateway to an unknown world. Strange lights flickered across it, reflecting Fang Yuan's slightly puzzled expression.
"Ten Thousand Worlds Chat Group?" Fang Yuan muttered, staring intently at the light screen, his mind filled with confusion.
He had seen countless rare treasures and experienced five hundred years of hardships and change. His knowledge was vast, his insight deep—something rarely seen in this world.
Yet now, facing this enormous screen of light, he felt a kind of confusion he had never experienced before.
[Gu Master Bastard Ranking ——— Gu Yue Fang Zheng]
(With just five and a half primeval stones, he managed to restrain an Immortal Venerable for half a day, disregarding brotherly ties.)
"Me?" Gu Yue Fang Zheng pointed at himself with a confused expression, clearly not understanding why his name had appeared on this strange screen.
More importantly, the comment at the end—disregarding brotherly affection?
Fang Zheng and Fang Yuan looked at each other.
Although Fang Yuan appeared calm on the surface, he sneered inwardly. Setting aside what "using five and a half primeval stones to restrain an Immortal Venerable" actually meant, the phrase "disregarding brotherly affection" suited Fang Zheng perfectly.
'Could it be that in the future, Fang Zheng will come into contact with the Great Dream Immortal Venerable? And 'five and a half primeval stones' is the name of a killer move he created?' Fang Yuan speculated silently.
But this so-called "Gu Master Bastard Ranking"... with Fang Zheng's limited scheming ability, could he really make it onto the list?
As the saying goes, the Gu world is full of outstanding individuals—every notable figure hides deep schemes and calculations.
And Fang Zheng? His thoughts were practically written all over his face. How could someone like him be counted among the noteworthy figures of the Gu world?
I'm actually curious... when I founded the Blood Wing Demonic Sect in Central Continent and slaughtered millions of innocent lives to refine the Spring Autumn Cicada... would I make it onto this so-called 'bastard ranking'?
Fang Yuan no longer hesitated. He focused all his attention on the light screen, watching closely to see what would happen next.