Here is the chapter built from the numbered points, with Fang Ming's Moonglow reveal, elder faction conflict, Mo Bei fight, Fang Yuan vs Fang Zheng, and the final Fang Ming vs Fang Yuan. Source notes:
The year-end examination began.
Three arenas were active at the same time. Students went up one after another, some nervous, some excited, some trying to appear calm before the elders and senior Gu Masters watching from above.
The early matches passed quickly.
Most students were still Rank one. Some had decent Gu, some had practiced their combat skills seriously, but in the end, the gap between ordinary students and the strongest few was obvious.
When Fang Ming's first match arrived, his opponent was a Rank one middle stage student.
The student stepped onto the arena with a pale face.
Fang Ming stood opposite him calmly.
The host Gu Master raised his hand.
"Begin!"
Fang Ming did not rush forward.
He raised his palm.
A pale blue crescent mark appeared, but the light that gathered was much deeper and sharper than Moonlight Gu.
Moonglow Gu.
The moonblade shot out.
It did not fly toward the student.
Instead, it struck a stone placed near the side of the arena.
The stone split cleanly.
The arena fell silent for a breath.
The student facing Fang Ming looked at the cut stone, then looked at Fang Ming's raised palm.
His face became even paler.
"I forfeit."
The host Gu Master paused slightly, then announced, "Gu Yue Fang Ming wins."
The students below immediately stirred.
"That was not Moonlight Gu."
"Moonglow Gu?"
"Rank two Gu…"
Many students looked at each other helplessly.
Fang Ming was not only Rank two.
He also had a Rank two attack Gu.
This changed everything.
Most of them had no way to block that attack. Rank one defensive Gu could still handle ordinary Moonlight Gu under certain conditions, but Moonglow Gu was different. If Fang Ming released it from close enough range, many defenses would be cut through directly.
Even Fang Zheng, who had Jade Skin Gu, only had some chance. A Rank one defensive Gu could help at distance or against a grazing hit, but if a Moonglow blade landed properly at close range, Jade Skin Gu would not be enough.
The Gu Masters watching from the tents also began discussing.
A Rank two student was already rare before graduation.
A Rank two student with a Rank two Gu was something else.
Among the elders, the atmosphere changed.
Gu Yue Bo turned toward Shi Lian with a stern expression.
"Elder Shi Lian, is this not a bit too much? The academy is a sacred place for nurturing young Gu Masters. No faction should interfere with it to this extent."
Gu Yue Mo Chen also spoke.
"I agree with the clan leader. Handing a Rank two Gu to a student is excessive. Look at the arena now. The year-end assessment is supposed to test the students, yet who would willingly go up and be cut by a Rank two Gu?"
Several elders nodded.
The meaning was clear.
They all believed Shi Lian had given Fang Ming the Moonglow Gu.
Shi Lian's expression grew increasingly unpleasant.
He had already been angry about Fang Ming reaching Rank two without informing him. Now Fang Ming had directly revealed a Rank two Gu in front of everyone, making the Shi faction look like it had interfered heavily in the academy assessment.
Taking this blame would bring no benefit.
Fang Ming had already slipped out of his control.
There was no reason to carry the pot for him.
So Shi Lian said coldly, "I did not give Fang Ming this Moonglow Gu."
The elders became quiet.
Their gazes shifted.
If Shi Lian had not given it, then where did Fang Ming get it?
The atmosphere became tense.
At this moment, the academy elder coughed lightly.
"Perhaps… Fang Ming refined it himself."
The elders turned to look at him with strange expressions.
Gu refinement was not simple.
Even experienced Gu Masters failed often.
A student refining a Rank two Gu before graduation sounded unlikely.
The academy elder understood their thoughts and explained, "Fang Ming chose Little Light Gu as his second Gu long ago. At that time, I already found the choice strange. Looking back now, he may have been planning to refine Moonglow Gu from the beginning."
He paused, then continued, "During this academy year, Fang Ming was also the only student who visited the library almost every day. He often read books related to Gu refinement, Gu fusion, and advancement."
The elders were silent.
This explanation was not perfect.
But it was not impossible.
A Mo family elder suddenly asked, "Even if he had the idea, where did the funds come from? Cultivation to Rank two already consumes resources. Refining Moonglow Gu would require even more."
As he spoke, his gaze moved toward Shi Lian.
The implication was obvious.
Even if Shi Lian had not directly given Fang Ming the Gu, the Shi faction might have still funded him.
Shi Lian's face turned even more unpleasant.
He knew exactly how much support he had given Fang Ming.
It should not have been enough.
Not enough to break through to Rank two so quickly.
Not enough to buy materials and refine Moonglow Gu.
This was why the situation annoyed him even more.
Another elder from the Shi faction spoke at this time.
"Fang Ming has been hunting wild boars for the past few months. He may have sold the meat and materials to raise funds. If his luck was good and the refinement succeeded after only a few attempts, this matter should not be blamed entirely on our Shi faction."
This gave Shi Lian a step down.
The tension eased slightly, though it did not disappear.
Each elder had their own thoughts.
Gu Yue Bo suspected the Shi faction had overstepped or lost control.
Shi Lian was furious that Fang Ming had moved outside the plan.
Gu Yue Mo Chen, however, was the most pleased.
If Fang Ming was truly slipping out of Shi faction control, then this was an opportunity. With some fanning of flames, Fang Ming might eventually break away from Shi Lian's grasp.
That would be good for the Mo faction.
Below the elders' seats, the tournament continued.
Some students won.
Some lost.
But when students faced Fang Ming, most forfeited directly.
No one wanted to test whether their Rank one defense could survive Moonglow Gu.
The matches went on until another important pairing was announced.
"Gu Yue Fang Ming against Gu Yue Mo Bei!"
Mo Bei stepped onto the arena.
He did not forfeit.
His expression was serious, and fighting intent burned in his eyes.
Fang Ming stepped up opposite him.
The two had sparred many times during the academy year. Their relationship was not good, but it was not completely distant either. They came from different factions, often mocked each other, and had once used each other as training partners.
Mo Bei had wanted this fight for a long time.
The host Gu Master raised his hand.
"Begin!"
Mo Bei moved first.
A moonblade flew toward Fang Ming.
Fang Ming shifted aside.
Another moonblade followed.
Mo Bei did not rush close. He kept distance, using movement and positioning to reduce the lethality of Fang Ming's Moonglow Gu.
Fang Ming understood his plan.
Mo Bei had Mud Skin Gu.
At longer range, he had more time to react and defend. If Fang Ming fired Moonglow Gu from too far away, Mo Bei could reduce the danger with Mud Skin Gu or dodge the core of the attack.
Fang Ming also did not rush forward.
He had no public defensive Gu to tank Mo Bei's moonblades.
He did not want to risk injury this early.
So he dodged Mo Bei's attacks and fired his own.
A Moonglow blade crossed the arena.
Mo Bei immediately activated Mud Skin Gu.
A layer of dark brown mud-like armor formed over part of his body. The Moonglow blade struck it, cutting deeply before breaking through part of the defense and forcing Mo Bei back.
Mo Bei's face changed slightly.
Even with Mud Skin Gu, blocking Moonglow Gu was difficult.
But he gritted his teeth and continued.
The two exchanged attacks across the arena.
Fang Ming's attacks were more dangerous.
Mo Bei's attacks were more frequent.
Mo Bei kept moving, forcing Fang Ming to adjust his aim again and again. He was not trying to win in one strike. He wanted Fang Ming to waste primeval essence.
But Fang Ming was patient.
He did not throw every time he had a chance.
When the angle was bad, he dodged.
When the distance was too long, he waited.
When Mo Bei's movement slowed, he attacked.
After several exchanges, Mo Bei's breathing grew heavier.
Mud Skin Gu had to be activated repeatedly.
Moonlight Gu also consumed essence.
He was still Rank one peak stage.
Fang Ming was Rank two initial stage.
Even though Moonglow Gu consumed more, Fang Ming's aperture and essence quality were still above his.
Another Moonglow blade flew out.
Mo Bei activated Mud Skin Gu again.
This time, the defense cracked more severely.
Mo Bei staggered.
He checked his remaining primeval essence and his expression became ugly.
After a moment, he gritted his teeth.
"I forfeit."
The host Gu Master announced, "Gu Yue Fang Ming wins!"
Mo Bei stepped down with a dark face.
He had not been cut down.
He had not been thrown out.
But he knew he could not continue.
Against Fang Ming's Rank two Gu, every defense cost too much.
Not long after, Fang Zheng faced Shi Cheng.
The battle followed a similar direction.
Shi Cheng used his Gu and movement to avoid direct confrontation, but Fang Zheng was already Rank two. He did not panic, nor did he chase recklessly. He used his cultivation advantage to pressure Shi Cheng steadily.
Shi Cheng resisted for a while, but his primeval essence could not last.
Eventually, Fang Zheng forced him into a bad position and won.
"Gu Yue Fang Zheng wins!"
The crowd reacted quickly.
The next match had already become clear.
Gu Yue Fang Zheng against Gu Yue Fang Yuan.
The brothers stepped onto the arena.
One was Rank two, A-grade, supported by the clan leader.
The other was Rank one peak stage, C-grade, feared by almost every student in the academy.
Many people expected Fang Zheng to finally step out of Fang Yuan's shadow.
The host Gu Master announced the start.
The result was anticlimactic.
Fang Yuan moved first.
He did not give Fang Zheng time to build rhythm.
Moonblade.
Step.
Feint.
Close-range attack.
Fang Zheng activated Jade Skin Gu, but Fang Yuan's timing was too sharp. He attacked weak angles, forced Fang Zheng to turn, then struck when his defense was least stable.
Fang Zheng had Rank two cultivation.
But he could not use it properly under Fang Yuan's pressure.
Each move Fang Yuan made seemed to cut into Fang Zheng's hesitation.
The match ended faster than many expected.
Fang Zheng was forced back again and again, then struck out of balance.
The host Gu Master announced, "Gu Yue Fang Yuan wins!"
The arena went silent for a moment.
Then discussion erupted.
Fang Yuan had defeated Fang Zheng.
Completely.
Gu Yue Bo's expression darkened.
Today had already gone badly once when Fang Ming revealed Rank two cultivation and Moonglow Gu. Now Fang Zheng, who was supposed to show the clan his superiority, had lost to Fang Yuan again.
Instead of stepping out of Fang Yuan's shadow, Fang Zheng had fallen deeper into it.
And the tournament was not over.
The final was no longer Fang Zheng against Fang Ming.
It was Fang Yuan against Fang Ming.
When the final match was announced, the arena became noisy again.
"Gu Yue Fang Ming against Gu Yue Fang Yuan!"
Fang Ming stepped onto the stage.
Fang Yuan stood opposite him.
The two looked at each other.
Neither spoke.
The host Gu Master raised his hand.
"Begin!"
The moment the word fell, both moved.
Fang Yuan rushed forward.
Fang Ming also advanced.
Moonblades flew almost immediately.
One Rank one.
One Rank two.
Blue light cut through the cold air.
Fang Yuan dodged Fang Ming's Moonglow blade by a narrow margin and continued forward without slowing.
Fang Ming's eyes narrowed slightly.
Fang Yuan was aiming to close distance.
This was expected.
At long range, Fang Ming's Moonglow Gu was too dangerous. One clean hit would decide the match. It did not need to strike the neck. A hit to the waist or torso could be enough.
Fang Yuan's Moonlight Gu was weaker.
He needed several good hits, or one critical strike.
So he chose close combat.
Fang Ming did not retreat immediately.
Instead, he met him.
The two collided.
Fists, elbows, knees, and palms exchanged rapidly.
Fang Yuan's technique was more refined. His timing was vicious, and his movements constantly attacked weak points.
Fang Ming's strength was greater.
Each time he blocked or struck, Fang Yuan had to adjust.
The students below could barely follow the exchange.
Then Fang Yuan's palm shifted.
A moonblade flashed at close range.
It cut across Fang Ming's arm, tearing through skin and striking near bone.
Blood splashed.
Fang Ming did not freeze.
During the past year, he had trained his pain tolerance repeatedly. This pain was sharp, but it did not take his focus away.
He struck toward Fang Yuan's chest.
Fang Yuan twisted aside and countered with another attack.
A Moonglow blade gathered in Fang Ming's palm at almost point-blank range.
If it landed, Fang Yuan could be split open.
But Fang Yuan did not flinch.
His expression did not change.
He forced his body closer instead, denying Fang Ming the clean release angle.
The two continued fighting like gamblers placing their lives on each exchange.
At this distance, neither had enough time to fully use their Gu comfortably.
Hand-to-hand combat became the center.
Fang Yuan had experience.
Fang Ming had strength.
Neither could easily suppress the other.
But Fang Ming knew this was not where his advantage lay.
Staying close gave Fang Yuan more chances.
He needed distance.
After several exchanges, Fang Ming endured a strike to his side and seized a small opening. His leg lashed out with heavy force.
Fang Yuan was forced back.
The distance opened.
Fang Ming immediately raised his palm.
Moonglow Gu activated.
A crescent blade shot forward.
Fang Yuan dodged and tried to close again.
Fang Ming moved back, maintaining distance while releasing another attack.
Now the fight changed.
Fang Yuan advanced.
Fang Ming kited.
Moonblades crossed the arena, cutting marks into the ground and stage edges.
Fang Yuan's movements were still superior. Even while dodging, he managed to counterattack.
One moonblade struck Fang Ming's shoulder.
Another cut across his ribs.
Blood spread across Fang Ming's robe.
Several students inhaled sharply.
From the outside, Fang Ming looked far worse than Fang Yuan.
But Fang Ming kept fighting as if nothing had happened.
His eyes remained fixed on Fang Yuan's movement.
Another Moonglow blade flew out.
Fang Yuan dodged again, but this time the edge grazed past his sleeve and left a shallow cut on his arm.
He did not care.
He continued searching for an opening.
But Fang Ming no longer allowed him close.
Each time Fang Yuan tried to enter hand-to-hand range, Fang Ming used movement, strength, or Moonglow pressure to force him away.
Time passed.
Fang Yuan's primeval essence continued falling.
He was Rank one peak stage.
His aptitude was C-grade.
Even with Liquor worm, his aperture could not compare to Fang Ming's Rank two A-grade reserve.
Fang Ming had missed many attacks.
Only a few had grazed Fang Yuan.
But he still had enough primeval essence to continue.
Fang Yuan did not.
After another exchange, Fang Yuan stopped.
His breathing was steady, but his gaze had already judged the result.
There was no good opening left.
Continuing would only waste more.
"I forfeit."
The host Gu Master froze for a moment, then announced loudly, "Gu Yue Fang Ming wins!"
The arena erupted.
The winner stood covered in blood, with several wounds that looked serious.
The loser only had a few scratches.
Yet the result was clear.
Fang Ming had won.
But the match gave the audience a thorough understanding of both fighters.
Fang Yuan had completely dominated Fang Zheng.
Then he proceeded to severely injure Fang Ming, who was also Rank two and even had a Rank two Gu.
In the end, Fang Yuan only lost because his cultivation level and primeval essence reserve were lower.
This proved how terrifying his combat skills were.
As for Fang Ming, he had completely imprinted his hotheaded persona in the minds of the spectators.
His early risk of allowing Fang Yuan to connect with him and engage in hand-to-hand combat had solidified that impression.
But after realizing he had no advantage there, Fang Ming decisively created distance and fought using his advantages: higher rank, stronger Gu, and greater primeval essence reserves.
This showed his flexibility.
That was the message Fang Ming wanted to send.
To the Shi faction, it said that suppressing him too much would do them no good. A hotheaded person would resist injustice.
To others, especially the Mo faction, it also said something else.
He was flexible.
He could change sides if the benefits were right.
Whether the Shi faction understood the message, Fang Ming did not know.
But he hoped the Mo faction did.
As for future accusations of betraying the Shi faction for greater benefit, Fang Ming did not care.
Good reputation mattered when one needed long-term cooperation.
Fang Ming did not intend to rely on that.
If he had the opportunity, he would rather go solo like Fang Yuan.
Unfortunately, he did not have that opportunity yet.
He lacked real mission experience. Books could help him prepare, but they could not replace experience. He still needed to join a team for at least several months to learn how missions truly worked.
For now, the ball was no longer in his hands.
He had thrown out the signal.
Whether anyone caught it depended on them.
Fang Ming lowered his bloodstained arm and looked toward the elders' seats.
Now he could only wait and see what Shi Lian planned to do next.