The rain fell for the whole night, only stopping at dawn.
Fang Ming pushed open the door and walked out.
The village streets were wet. Mud and blood mixed together between the gaps of the stone path. Some bamboo buildings had broken windows, and there were claw marks left on the outer walls.
Along the road, the clansmen all carried heavy expressions.
This night, Gu Yue village suffered great losses.
The truth was, not only Gu Yue village. The three clans on Qing Mao mountain had all suffered under the wolf tide. The wolves did not distinguish between Gu Yue, Bai, or Xiong. Once the tide rose, all living things before it became prey.
Fang Ming could tell from seeing the battle merit board.
After one night, several small groups had disappeared from the board. Some groups still had names left, but their members were either heavily injured or crippled. Several names had been marked grey.
Grey meant dead.
Many Gu Masters stood before the board, their faces turning pale as they searched through the remaining names.
Fang Ming only glanced once, then withdrew his gaze.
The wolf tide had truly begun.
He continued walking.
Inside his aperture, white silver primeval essence moved quietly. It was not much. He had just advanced, and his foundation was still shallow compared to old Rank three Gu Masters.
But white silver primeval essence was white silver primeval essence.
Rank three aura could not be faked.
Soon, a Rank two Gu Master walking past him suddenly stopped.
This person had fought for the whole night. His robe was torn, and there were bloodstains on his sleeve. But when he sensed Fang Ming's aura, his eyes widened.
"You…"
Fang Ming looked at him.
The Rank two Gu Master's expression changed. He quickly cupped his fists.
"Lord Fang Ming."
His voice was not loud, but the nearby Gu Masters heard it.
They turned their heads one after another. Some were stunned, while some frowned and revealed disbelief.
"Rank three?"
"Gu Yue Fang Ming advanced?"
"He was only Rank two not long ago…"
"But he is A-grade. The Chi branch also supported him."
The news spread quickly.
Not long after, a messenger came from the clan leader pavilion.
"Gu Yue Fang Ming, the clan leader summons you."
Fang Ming nodded and followed.
The clan leader pavilion was heavily guarded. The guards outside had not changed clothes after the night battle, and rainwater still dripped from their hair.
Inside the hall, the atmosphere was solemn.
Gu Yue Bo sat on the highest seat. Many elders sat on the left and right. Some had tired faces, while some had blood on their robes. Gu Yue Yao Ji sat with a gloomy expression; the medicine hall had been busy for the entire night, and there were still wounded Gu Masters waiting outside.
Gu Yue Chi Lian sat in the front of the right row.
Gu Yue Mo Chen sat opposite him.
When Fang Ming entered, everyone's gaze gathered on him.
Fang Ming stood in the center of the hall and cupped his fists.
"Clan leader. Elders."
The hall became quiet.
An elder carefully sensed his aura and said, "It is indeed Rank three."
Another elder nodded. "There is white silver primeval essence. There is no mistake."
Whispers immediately sounded.
"He really advanced."
"So young…"
"A-grade aptitude is indeed frightening."
"Do not forget, he is backed by the Chi branch."
"During the wolf tide, having another Rank three is a good thing."
The elders' thoughts were not simple.
According to the clan rules, once a Gu Master advanced to Rank three, he would become a clan elder. A new elder meant a new position, new authority, and a new share of resources.
If this had happened during peaceful times, the matter would not be settled so quickly.
A young Rank three was useful, but he was also someone who would divide benefits.
Gu Yue Bo looked at Fang Ming and asked, "Fang Ming, when did you advance?"
"Last night," Fang Ming answered.
Many elders' eyes moved.
Last night, the wolf tide had attacked the village. Gu Masters were fighting outside in the rain, while Fang Ming had advanced during that time.
Gu Yue Mo Chen spoke, "Last night? The village was resisting the wolf tide, yet you were in closed-door cultivation?"
The hall quieted.
Mo Chen's words were not fierce, but his meaning was not light.
Fang Ming turned to him.
"If I went out as a Rank two, I could kill several wolves. If I broke through, the clan would gain another Rank three."
The hall was silent for a moment.
Some elders nodded inwardly.
This was not wrong.
A Rank two Gu Master was useful, but there were many Rank two Gu Masters in the clan. A Rank three Gu Master was different.
Gu Yue Mo Chen narrowed his eyes.
"Your words have reason. But your cultivation speed is too fast. For the clan's stability, your recent resources and caravan transactions should be checked."
The moment these words came out, the atmosphere changed again.
The Mo branch and Chi branch had fought for many years. Fang Ming was someone the Chi branch supported. Now that he had advanced to Rank three, the Chi branch's influence had increased.
Mo Chen could not remain silent.
Fang Ming's expression did not change.
"Elder Mo Chen, if the clan leader wants to verify my cultivation, I will cooperate."
He paused.
"But my private resources are not something to be inspected because of one sentence."
Mo Chen's face sank slightly. "You are young. Do not forget your seniority."
Fang Ming looked at him calmly.
"Yesterday I was a junior. Today I am Rank three."
The hall fell silent.
These words were not polite, but they were not wrong.
If Fang Ming were still Rank two, Mo Chen could question him as a senior. But Fang Ming had already become Rank three. Even if the clan leader had not officially announced it, his elder status was already fixed.
At this moment, if Mo Chen continued pressing, it would no longer be an elder questioning a junior. It would become conflict between elders.
Gu Yue Chi Lian laughed coldly.
"Mo Chen, Fang Ming has A-grade aptitude and has received support from my Chi branch. His cultivation being fast is not strange. The wolf tide has just begun, yet you want to inspect the property of a newly advanced Rank three Gu Master. What is this? Are you guarding the clan, or guarding against my Chi branch?"
Mo Chen snorted. "Chi Lian, do not twist my meaning."
"Then do not speak words that can be twisted," Chi Lian replied.
The two old men looked at each other.
The atmosphere in the hall became heavy.
At this time, Gu Yue Yao Ji opened her mouth.
"The medicine hall is full of wounded people. If Fang Ming is truly Rank three, then confirm his status first. The village needs more Rank three Gu Masters now."
She did not speak for Fang Ming.
She spoke for the situation.
Yao Ji had her own faction, but she had no reason to offend Chi Lian over this matter. More importantly, the medicine hall had received too many wounded Gu Masters in one night. If another Rank three stood at the front, fewer people would be carried back to her.
Several elders agreed.
"That is true."
"The wolf tide is before us. This is not the time to argue."
"His aura is genuine. There is no need to delay."
Gu Yue Bo raised his hand.
The hall became quiet.
"The wolf tide has begun. The clan needs unity."
His gaze swept over Mo Chen and Chi Lian.
"Gu Yue Fang Ming has advanced to Rank three. His aura is genuine, and his white silver primeval essence cannot be false. According to clan rules, he will be recognized as a clan elder."
Gu Yue Chi Lian's expression eased.
Gu Yue Mo Chen said nothing.
Gu Yue Bo continued, "As for elder duties and resource allocation, they will be arranged after the emergency matters are settled. For now, Fang Ming will join the village defense rotation. Every Rank three Gu Master must contribute."
Fang Ming cupped his fists.
"Yes, clan leader."
The matter was decided.
It was not that no one had doubts. It was not that no one felt displeased. But outside the pavilion, stretchers were still being carried toward the medicine hall. The rain had stopped, but the smell of blood had not dispersed.
In peaceful times, a new elder was a competitor. During the wolf tide, a new elder was a wall.
Whether the elders liked it or not, the wolf tide had given Fang Ming his seat.