Moments later, he arrived at his rented room.
The bamboo building and wine tavern—he had already sold them off.
Though this modest flat lacked grandeur, it served his needs. Fang Yuan never cared for luxury, only for utility.
He sat cross-legged on the bed and began his cultivation.
For a Gu Master, advancing a major realm required talent and strength. But rising within a minor realm was merely a matter of time and steady effort. Given enough time, the aperture would be nurtured and slowly improved.
As per their agreement, Jiang Ya arrived at Fang Yuan's door by dusk.
"Lord Fang Yuan, these are the primeval stones this time, please inspect it." He walked into the room, handing over five money bags respectfully, filled with primeval stones.
There was more than four hundred primeval stones inside, and as the wolf tide approached, Gu Masters had an increased reliance on the vitality leaves. This caused Fang Yuan's sale price to continuously go up.
Fang Yuan handed Jiang Ya nine vitality leaves, asking, "The thing I asked you to purchase, have you done it?"
Jiang Ya showed a look of disappointment, shaking his head, "Lord Fang Yuan, this is bad timing. The wolf tide is coming, and the clan has increased its control on resources. Other things aside, that Fish Scale Gu is only slightly less valuable than the Jade Skin Gu. I have already tried my best, but it is difficult to have results immediately."
Fang Yuan did not mind, as this had happened in his previous life as well. He only hoped that, by selling more Vitality Leaves earlier, Jiang Ya might have found some connections for the Fish Scale Gu. "But it seems that was just wishful thinking. This Jiang Ya's ability is truly too useless."
But he was not discouraged.
Nine out of ten things in this world will not go according to plan.
This is life, and the phrase 'smooth-sailing' is only a beautiful greeting.
Fang Yuan was not in a rush either. After all, the sole reason for him to obtain the Fish Scale Gu was to refine it into the Stealth Scale Gu. The true aim of the Stealth Scale Gu was to allow him to sneak back into the secret cave. But even that wasn't necessary, as he only needed to return once he reached Rank three. Lastly, he also knew that Gu Yue Qing Shu would be the one to sell him the Fish Scale Gu.
At night, the expected guests arrived.
Gu Yue Qing Shu and Gu Yue Fang Zheng.
Qing Shu got to the main point, mentioning his previous objective, wanting to buy the Liquor worm from Fang Yuan.
At the same time, he also wanted to buy the Black Boar Gu, and even the Nine Leaf Vitality Grass.
Nine Leaf Vitality Grass was a no brainer; Liquor worm had long become the Four Flavor Liquor worm, even if Fang Yuan wanted to, he couldn't even produce it now, thus he rejected them.
But the Black Boar Gu can be sold in exchange for the Fish Scale Gu.
Fang Yuan thought of this, and mentioned it.
"Fish Scale Gu?" Qing Shu frowned, then nodded, "I know, you lack a defensive Gu worm. The Fish Scale Gu can be fused into the Rank two Scale Armor Gu. It can provide good defense."
Using the Fish Scale Gu and Stealth Rock Gu to create the Stealth Scale Gu, the recipe would only be discovered two hundred years later, so it was natural that Qing Shu had no clue.
Fang Yuan did not expose himself, "The Black Boar Gu is more valuable than the Fish Scale Gu, so if we exchange it, you have to compensate me the difference in price."
"Naturally." Qing Shu nodded then asked, "Nevermind about the Nine Leaf Vitality Grass, are you really not selling the Liquor worm? It is useless to you already, raising it for nothing is just a waste of your primeval stones."
Fang Yuan shook his head, "Don't mention the Liquor worm, it is not for sale."
Qing Shu rubbed his nose, laughing bitterly, "Fang Yuan, this matter is more complicated than you think. Do you know Gu Yue Yao Le? She is the granddaughter of medicine hall elder Gu Yue Yao Ji, a new student this year, and has B grade aptitude. Gu Yue Yao Ji loves her granddaughter and once tried to buy a Liquor worm in the treehouse, but did not succeed."
"You've used the Liquor worm before, I'm sure you know the benefits it has. I won't say anymore, but Lord Yao Ji really wants this Gu worm for her granddaughter. An elderly's affection for her grandchildren is completely understandable. Thus, she has come to you, she is serious about buying it and has offered a high price. She even promises that if you got injured in the wolf tide, you'd get special attention from the medicine hall. I hope you consider it thoroughly."
"So that's it," Fang Yuan rubbed his chin, then shook his head, "This Liquor worm is not for sale. Since Yao Ji is insistent, why isn't she finding that Gu Master who bought the Liquor worm?"
Hearing this, Qing Shu looked like a dark cloud was looming over him as he sighed deeply, "Sigh, we do not know which clansman has it. After buying this Liquor worm, there has been absolutely no news. We cannot find anything, and we cannot simply inspect apertures right? That is a taboo, the biggest taboo among Gu Masters. For a small matter like the Liquor worm, causing public rage is not good. But it is understandable that this clansman is keeping a low profile on his treasure, this is also human nature."
Qing Shu did not know that the real person who bought the Liquor worm was sitting in front of him.
But Qing Shu never suspected Fang Yuan, since in his perspective, Fang Yuan had the Liquor worm already, he wouldn't need to buy a second one. What's the use of it?
"No matter what, I am not giving way for this Liquor worm matter." Fang Yuan's attitude was firm without any loosening, as he smirked in his heart.
This was the system.
The system made one strong, but it was also a restraint.
Gu Yue Yao Ji was a Rank three Gu Master. She was much stronger than Fang Yuan, but due to the system she could not snatch it from him. Due to the rules of the system and minding her own reputation, she cannot forcefully purchase it either.
Fang Zheng who was at one side suddenly urged, "Brother, the Liquor worm is useless to you, why cling on to it. Granny Yao Ji is very kind. I've met sister Yao Le many times too, she is a good person, I am sure she will take good care of the Liquor worm. And the Liquor worm is very helpful to her. Kindness begets kindness, brother, you saved the village and I am happy for you. This brings honor to our family as well. But why are you being so stubborn now, isn't this too petty?"
Fang Yuan's expression stiffened as he said coldly, "My good little brother, are you lecturing me? The Liquor worm is my business. Even if it rots in my hands, you have no rights to dictate what I do."
He was not really angry, but attitude is the mask of the heart, and by expressing his attitude, it would allow Qing Shu to see his determination to reject.
"It seems Fang Yuan is bent on rejecting. Bringing Fang Zheng here on purpose was a bad move. These brothers have a poor relationship and are always at odds, I've shot myself in the foot," Gu Yue Qing Shu's gaze shone.
"Fang Zheng, go out and shop around." Fang Zheng wanted to say more, but he was stopped by Qing Shu.
Fang Zheng gritted his teeth, but still obeyed Qing Shu's command.
"Either way, I cannot understand you in this matter, big brother." He opened the door, leaving his last sentence.
"What I do, does not require your understanding, Fang Zheng." Fang Yuan was expressionless.
Fang Zheng's movement of opening the door stopped for a moment, but he quickly walked out of the room without turning around, closing the room door with a bam.
This movement caused the room's atmosphere to become even more awkward.
"If there is nothing else, brother Qing Shu can take your leave." Fang Yuan instantly evicted his guest.
"Hehehe," Qing Shu laughed dryly, trying to alleviate the tension, but Fang Yuan's face was cold as ice, showing no signs of change.
But his temper was mild, and he did not get frustrated.
Touching his nose, Qing Shu laughed awkwardly, "There is another matter, regarding the Nine Leaf Vitality Grass."
"The Nine Leaf Vitality Grass is not for sale." Fang Yuan rolled his eyes.
"I know, I know," Qing Shu nodded, "It is regarding the vitality leaf, this is the personal business of my group. I hope you can supply the produced vitality grass to us. Of course, we will pay you an appropriate compensation."
Seeing business approaching, Fang Yuan naturally did not reject, "Then, sixty-five primeval stones per leaf."
Qing Shu on hearing the price, was tongue-tied.