A few days passed.
During these days, the Gu displayed inside the Three Star Cave Gu House changed several times.
Fang Ming visited often.
The caravan would not stay in Gu Yue Village forever, and every change in displayed stock might carry something useful. Some Gu appeared only briefly before being bought by others, while some stayed longer because their price was too high or their use was too narrow.
Fang Ming had already obtained results from his earlier bids.
Grey Wolf Strength Gu was his.
Essence Storage Gu was also his.
But Bear Strength Gu had been taken by someone else.
Fang Ming did not care too much about that result. Bear Strength Gu was useful, but not irreplaceable. Missing it was a pity, not a loss that would disrupt his plans.
What truly mattered was Essence Storage Gu.
After refining it, Fang Ming immediately understood how much it suited him. A second reserve of primeval essence was not merely useful in battle; it changed how long he could endure danger alone. For a lone Gu Master, every extra reserve was another layer of life.
Later, another Rank 2 Gu appeared on the second floor and attracted his attention.
Silver Wolf King Strength Gu.
Unlike ordinary wolf strength Gu, this was a Rank 2 strength Gu. Its strength leaned toward explosive force, sudden pouncing power, and the coordination of waist, back, and limbs. It was different from the heavy impact of boar strength. If boar strength made Fang Ming's body more brutal and direct, then wolf strength could make his bursts sharper and more agile.
Fang Ming placed a bid.
In the end, he successfully acquired Silver Wolf King Strength Gu for 2,800 primeval stones.
There were also several other Gu that interested him during these few days, but none of them were important enough to make him move.
He had to preserve stones.
More importantly, he had to preserve his copy chance.
Then, on another day, a new Gu appeared on the second floor.
Red Steel Relic Gu.
The moment news spread, the second floor of the Three Star Cave Gu House became lively.
Rank 2 Gu Masters began gathering one after another. Some came to bid. Some came only to watch the excitement. A Gu like Red Steel Relic Gu was not something ordinary Rank 2 Gu Masters could easily obtain. It could instantly raise a Rank 2 Gu Master's cultivation by 1 small realm.
For anyone at Rank 2, this was an enormous temptation.
Near the central counter, Gu Masters discussed quietly.
"The competition this time will be fierce."
"Of course it will. This is Red Steel Relic Gu."
"Who do you think has the highest chance?"
"Mo Yan and Chi Shan should both make a move. They are already Rank 2 upper stage. With this Gu, they can reach peak stage directly."
"Qing Shu might also be interested."
"Even if Qing Shu does not bid himself, the clan elders may still pay attention to it."
"True. With the wolf tide getting closer, raising cultivation by 1 small stage could save a life."
As they spoke, more Gu Masters arrived.
Fang Ming also walked onto the second floor.
His appearance quickly attracted attention.
The surrounding voices became slightly quieter for a moment, then returned in a lower tone.
Fang Ming ignored them.
He walked directly toward the front of the display.
Inside the counter, Red Steel Relic Gu rested quietly. Its body was bright red like refined steel, carrying a faint metallic glow. Although it looked small, its value was far beyond most Rank 2 Gu.
Fang Ming stood before the counter and began copying it.
In the eyes of the surrounding Gu Masters, Fang Ming was only standing there and staring at the Red Steel Relic Gu.
But Fang Ming did not move away.
This naturally drew more gazes.
Among the Gu Masters present, one woman suddenly recognized him.
Gu Yue Lan Yu.
She had been part of Shi Nan's team, the same team Fang Ming had fought during his first mission.
When she saw Fang Ming standing in front of the Red Steel Relic Gu, her expression immediately changed. A shadow flashed through her eyes, but soon, seeing the friends beside her, she became slightly bolder.
Beside her were Gu Yue Yan Fei, Gu Yue Luo Ping, and Gu Yue Chen An.
Lan Yu did not dare speak directly to Fang Ming's face.
Fang Ming's lawlessness had left a deep impression on her.
But she did not lower her voice much either.
"Look, isn't that Fang Ming?"
Gu Yue Yan Fei followed her gaze.
"That Fang Ming?"
Gu Yue Luo Ping also looked over and laughed softly.
"Who else could it be?"
Lan Yu's tone carried mockery. "He still dares come look at Red Steel Relic Gu? Has he forgotten how many missions he failed?"
Yan Fei immediately understood.
"I heard he is absolutely dominating the mission hall rankings."
Chen An asked with a grin, "Dominating?"
Yan Fei laughed. "From the bottom."
Several people around them laughed.
Lan Yu's expression became more relaxed. "More failed missions than completed ones. I truly do not know how he still has the face to walk around here."
Luo Ping joined in, his voice carrying obvious disdain.
"The mission hall should really ban him from taking missions. He is causing more harm to the village's interests than helping. Many missions were delayed because he took them, only to fail days later."
The laughter around them became louder.
Lan Yu raised her voice slightly.
"After failing so many missions and paying so many fines, how much money could he even have left?"
Yan Fei laughed again.
"This Red Steel Relic Gu will sell for at least 4,000 primeval stones. Where could Fang Ming get that much money?"
Fang Ming heard them.
But he did not react.
Insults did not matter.
People could say whatever they wanted. That was their freedom. Why should he care what they said or thought? Their thoughts were none of his concern.
His mind remained peaceful.
He continued copying the Red Steel Relic Gu.
However, Chen An seemed to grow bolder after hearing the laughter around him. Perhaps he wanted to show off in front of Lan Yu and Yan Fei, or perhaps he thought Fang Ming's recent failures meant his arrogance had finally been beaten down.
He walked toward Fang Ming.
"Hey, Fang Ming."
Fang Ming ignored him.
Chen An's expression stiffened slightly.
"How much are you going to bid for that?"
Fang Ming still did not answer.
His attention remained on the Red Steel Relic Gu.
Chen An felt his face grow hot.
He had tried to make fun of Fang Ming, but Fang Ming completely ignored him. In front of several people, especially Lan Yu and Yan Fei, this was embarrassing.
He reached toward Fang Ming's shoulder.
Seeing this, Lan Yu's expression changed.
For an instant, she remembered the snowy mission site.
Shi Nan had grabbed Fang Ming's collar.
Then Fang Ming punched him unconscious.
But to Lan Yu's surprise, Chen An's hand landed on Fang Ming's shoulder without anything happening.
Chen An's confidence immediately rose.
His voice became stern.
"Fang Ming, did you not hear your senior speaking to you?"
Fang Ming finally turned slightly.
He looked at Chen An with a calm expression, then shook his head.
"No. Please repeat what you want, senior."
Chen An's face distorted.
He had expected anger, resistance, or a fight.
But Fang Ming's reply made him feel as if his fist had struck cotton. He could only repeat himself with an ugly expression.
"I asked how much you are going to bid."
Fang Ming looked at him with some confusion, then turned toward a caravan Gu Master stationed nearby.
"Is looking forbidden here? Do I need money just to stand here?"
The Jia family Gu Master smiled professionally.
"Of course not. Everyone is welcome to look."
Fang Ming nodded.
Then he turned back, pushed Chen An's hand away from his shoulder, and returned his gaze to the Red Steel Relic Gu.
He continued copying.
The surrounding Gu Masters were stunned.
This was not what they expected.
Fang Ming was well known for his quick temper and lawless behavior. Many people thought there would be a fight the moment Chen An touched his shoulder. Even Chen An had been prepared for Fang Ming to fly into a rage.
Unexpectedly, Fang Ming backed down.
To them, it looked like cowardice.
Chen An also thought so.
After returning to Lan Yu, Yan Fei, and Luo Ping, his confidence became even greater. He began speaking more loudly, showing off as if he had just suppressed Fang Ming in front of everyone.
More mocking gazes fell on Fang Ming.
Some were amused and other were disdainful.
Some felt that Fang Ming's arrogance was only used against weaker people, and that once he faced enough pressure in public, he would also shrink back.
Fang Ming did not care.
Acting arrogant and prideful was only a mask.
He wore the mask for benefits.
He would not be assimilated by the mask and truly become a childish arrogant fool.
Right now, he was copying Red Steel Relic Gu.
This was a very important piece in his future plan.
This was not the time to start a fight and cause complications. Who knew what the Jia caravan would do if he caused trouble inside their Gu house? If they banned him from entering afterward, would that not be a great loss just for a moment of pride?
So let them say whatever they wanted.
Let them think whatever they wanted.
Fang Ming continued copying his Gu.
After a while, Lan Yu and her group became bored and left.
Other Gu Masters came and went.
The second floor remained lively, but the flow of people gradually changed. Some placed bids. Some only watched. Some discussed the likely final price of the Red Steel Relic Gu.
Fang Ming stood there quietly.
Time passed.
Eventually, Advanced Copy Gu completed its work.
Red Steel Relic Gu had been copied.
At that moment, a faint smile finally appeared on Fang Ming's face.
He was truly happy.
Overjoyed, even.
The final piece, one of the most crucial pieces for his current plan, had finally fallen into his hands.
Fang Ming did not linger for long.
He left the second floor and walked out of the Three Star Cave Gu House.
Outside, the caravan market remained lively. Merchants shouted prices, Gu Masters moved between tents, and mortals carried goods through the crowd. Fang Ming walked through the market calmly, his mood exceptionally good.
Then, unexpectedly, he ran into Lan Yu's group again.
Chen An saw him first.
After what happened inside the Gu house, Chen An's ego had clearly risen. Seeing Fang Ming, he called out again, expecting Fang Ming to turn around and answer.
"Fang Ming!"
Fang Ming ignored him and continued walking.
Chen An's expression stiffened.
Behind him, faint chuckles came from Lan Yu and Yan Fei.
Whether those chuckles were aimed at him or not, he believed they were.
His anger rose immediately.
He strode toward Fang Ming, reaching out again, planning to grab his shoulder like before.
This time, things were different.
His hand missed.
Before he could react, Fang Ming turned.
A fist struck his chin.
Chen An's vision flipped upward.
The next thing he saw was the blue sky.
Then everything went black.
His body collapsed to the ground.
Fang Ming did not even look at him again.
He turned and continued walking toward the village, ignoring the shocked voices behind him.
Right now, Fang Ming was extremely happy.
Nothing could extinguish the excitement in his heart.