A month passed quickly.
This month was not peaceful.
The wolf tide continued to pressure the three clans. Lightning wolves appeared more frequently, and healthy wolf packs were no longer rare. Mission groups left the village every day. Some returned with wolf eyes and battle merit. Some returned with injured members. Some did not return at all.
During this period, several matters shook Gu Yue village.
Gu Yue Qing Shu encountered Bai Ning Bing.
The battle between the two caused a great disturbance. Qing Shu was one of the clan's most outstanding Rank two Gu Masters, while Bai Ning Bing was the Bai clan's monstrous genius. Their clash spread quickly through the village, and even the elders could not ignore it.
After that, Bai Ning Bing escaped.
Gu Yue Yao Le also went missing.
This matter struck the medicine hall heavily. Gu Yue Yao Ji's temper became worse day by day. The medicine hall Gu Masters did not dare to speak loudly in front of her.
The wolf tide outside was already causing pressure.
The turmoil inside the clan did not stop either.
On this day, a Rank two Gu Master hurried into the medicine hall.
"Reporting to medicine hall elder, this subordinate has something to report."
Gu Yue Yao Ji's eyes immediately sharpened. "Is there news about Yao Le?"
The Gu Master lowered his head. "No. The clan leader has called an elder meeting at the clan leader pavilion. Someone has advanced to Rank three, and the matter needs to be confirmed."
Gu Yue Yao Ji's expression first darkened, then froze.
"Someone advanced to Rank three?"
Her voice became low.
During the wolf tide, a new Rank three Gu Master was naturally useful. But Rank three was not only battle strength. It also meant becoming an elder, entering the clan's upper level and affecting the existing political balance.
The medicine hall Gu Masters began whispering.
"Who advanced?"
"Could it be someone from the Mo branch?"
"Or the Chi branch?"
Gu Yue Yao Ji stared at the reporting Gu Master. "Who is it?"
The Gu Master replied, "Gu Yue Fang Yuan."
The medicine hall immediately became noisy.
"Fang Yuan?"
"Isn't he C-grade aptitude?"
"How could he advance to Rank three so quickly?"
"He went missing for three days. Some people thought he died on the battlefield."
Gu Yue Yao Ji's expression changed.
Missing for three days, then suddenly returning as a Rank three.
Yao Le was also missing.
There might be no connection between the two matters, but Gu Yue Yao Ji had already lost her calm.
She stood up.
"I am going to the clan leader pavilion."
The clan leader pavilion.
Gu Yue Bo sat on the highest seat. Elders sat on both sides of the hall.
Fang Ming was also seated among them.
He had become an elder one month ago. After this month of wolf tide fighting, his position had stabilized somewhat. He had battle merit, a proper Rank three Gu set, and the Chi branch behind him. Even elders who were not pleased with his rise could not casually question him anymore.
Today, however, most gazes were not on Fang Ming.
They were on the young man standing in the center of the hall.
Gu Yue Fang Yuan.
His expression was calm. His black hair was damp, and his clothes carried traces of battle. But the aura on his body could not be mistaken.
Rank three.
White silver primeval essence.
An elder sensed carefully and said, "It is genuine."
Another elder nodded. "There is no mistake. He has truly advanced to Rank three."
Whispers immediately rose in the hall.
"To think Fang Yuan advanced too…"
"First Fang Ming, now Fang Yuan. This generation is strange."
"Fang Ming is A-grade, so his speed can still be explained. But Fang Yuan is C-grade."
"Didn't Fang Yuan obtain two Red Steel Relic Gu earlier?"
"Red Steel Relic Gu can raise Rank two cultivation, but it cannot explain everything."
The elders' thoughts moved quickly.
Fang Ming sat quietly, looking at Fang Yuan.
A month ago, his own advancement had already shaken the clan. But compared to Fang Yuan, his rise was easier to accept. He was A-grade, had the Chi branch's support, and had performed well since the academy.
Fang Yuan was different.
C-grade aptitude.
No stable faction support on the surface.
Missing for three days.
Returning as Rank three.
This was not merely fast. It was abnormal.
Gu Yue Bo looked at Fang Yuan, his gaze deep.
He thought of the old matter regarding Jia Jin Sheng.
Back then, the Jia family had accused Fang Yuan. There had been no proof, and the matter had been pressed down. But now, seeing Fang Yuan's sudden advancement, Gu Yue Bo could not help connecting several matters.
Jia Jin Sheng's disappearance.
Fang Yuan's strange wealth.
His repeated unexpected growth.
And now, Rank three.
Could Fang Yuan have obtained some Gu Master inheritance?
This thought was not Gu Yue Bo's alone.
Several sharp elders had already thought of it.
But thinking was one matter, speaking was another.
During the wolf tide, the clan needed Rank three Gu Masters.
At this moment, the doorguard suddenly announced, "Medicine hall elder Gu Yue Yao Ji has arrived!"
Gu Yue Yao Ji walked in quickly.
Her face was haggard. Her eyes were sharp and cold, locking onto Fang Yuan the moment she entered the hall.
"Fang Yuan, you advanced to Rank three?"
Her voice carried disbelief.
"I do not believe it. I will personally verify it. Let me inspect your aperture!"
The hall immediately quieted.
The aperture was the most important secret of a Gu Master. Inspecting the aperture was not a casual matter. For academy students, inspections were acceptable because they were juniors. But Fang Yuan was now Rank three.
Even if the clan had not formally announced his elder status, it was already set.
Fang Yuan turned slightly and looked at Yao Ji.
"Gu Yue Yao Ji, on what basis do you want to inspect my aperture?"
Gu Yue Yao Ji's eyes widened. "You dare call me by name?"
Fang Yuan sneered.
"Calling you by name is already respect. You blocked me from exchanging for Three Step Fragrant Grass Gu, coveted my Nine Leaf Vitality Grass, and now want to inspect my aperture. Do you still think I am a Rank 2 gu master?"
His words were sharp.
The elders did not interrupt.
If Fang Yuan were Rank one or Rank two, many elders would have immediately stood on Yao Ji's side. The authority of the higher-ups could not be challenged by juniors.
But now, Fang Yuan was Rank three.
This was no longer a senior punishing a junior.
This was a conflict between elders.
Fang Ming observed silently.
Fang Yuan's method was still the same.
Direct.
Ruthless.
He did not leave room for the other side to step down.
Gu Yue Yao Ji's face became ugly.
"Good, good. You have truly grown capable." Her voice turned colder. "Then tell everyone, where were you these past three days? You disappeared from the battlefield, and your corpse could not be found. Now you return as Rank three. Do you think this matter does not need an explanation?"
At this, the elders' gazes changed.
This question struck the key point.
Rank three aura could not be faked. White silver primeval essence could not be faked. But the reason behind Fang Yuan's advancement was indeed suspicious.
Fang Yuan did not immediately answer.
His gaze moved slightly and swept past the right row.
There, Gu Yue Chi Lian sat with a gloomy face, his eyes half lowered. But the moment Fang Yuan's gaze passed over him, Chi Lian's fingers tightened on the armrest.
It was only a very small movement.
Most people would not notice it.
But Gu Yue Mo Chen noticed.
He had fought with Chi Lian for many years. He knew this old rival too well. If Chi Lian had nothing to do with Fang Yuan, he would not show such a reaction.
Mo Chen's heart moved.
First Fang Ming, now Fang Yuan?
The Chi faction had already gained one new elder. If Fang Yuan also had a connection with Chi Lian, then the balance between the Mo and Chi branches would be tilted too far.
Gu Yue Mo Chen's expression darkened, and he spoke at this moment.
"Fang Yuan, Elder Yao Ji's words are not without reason. During the wolf tide, disappearing for three days is no small matter. Now you return as Rank three. The clan should know the truth."
His voice was steady, but Fang Ming could hear the hidden edge.
Mo Chen was not speaking only for Yao Ji.
He was looking at Chi Lian.
One Fang Ming joining the Chi side was already difficult for the Mo branch to accept. If Fang Yuan was also tied to the Chi branch, then where would the Mo branch stand?
The balance would be broken.
Fang Yuan smiled coldly.
"What I did these three days, am I required to tell all of you?"
The hall became heavier.
Mo Chen's expression darkened.
But before he could speak again, Fang Yuan continued, "However, since everyone is interested, I can say it. These three days, I was in closed-door cultivation in Elder Chi Lian's manor, attempting to break through to Rank three. Elder Chi Lian can testify."
The hall stirred.
Many gazes turned toward Gu Yue Chi Lian.
Chi Lian's face was gloomy.
Gloomy to the point that water almost seemed to drip from it.
Fang Ming lowered his gaze slightly.
He knew why Chi Lian looked like this.
Fang Yuan had not joined the Chi branch willingly. Chi Lian was being dragged onto the stage because Fang Yuan held Chi Cheng's secret. But in front of the elders, Chi Lian could not deny it.
If he denied it, Fang Yuan might expose more.
If he admitted it, the Chi branch would be linked to Fang Yuan.
After a few breaths of silence, Chi Lian finally spoke.
"It is so. Fang Yuan was indeed in a secret room of my manor these past three days, attempting to break through."
The hall became noisy despite the elders' restraint.
"So Fang Yuan is also related to the Chi branch?"
"No wonder his advancement was so fast."
"First Fang Ming, now Fang Yuan. Chi Lian's move is too deep."
"Fang Yuan is Fang Zheng's elder brother. Chi Lian supporting him has profound meaning."
Mo Chen's face became extremely ugly.
If Fang Ming's advancement strengthened the Chi branch, Fang Yuan's advancement and connection to another grade A aptitude made the situation even worse. Fang Ming was already a true Chi branch ally. Now Fang Yuan also seemed to have Chi faction support on the surface.
How could the Mo branch sit still?
Gu Yue Yao Ji's expression also changed.
Opposing a lone new elder and opposing a new elder with Chi faction support were two entirely different matters.
Her granddaughter was missing, and Fang Yuan was suspicious. But now Chi Lian had stepped forward. If she continued pressing too fiercely, it would no longer be only her matter with Fang Yuan.
It would involve faction struggle.
During the wolf tide, this was dangerous.
Gu Yue Bo watched everything quietly.
His gaze swept across Fang Yuan, Chi Lian, Mo Chen, and Fang Ming.
Fang Ming was seated calmly among the elders.
Fang Yuan stood in the center of the hall, sharp and fearless.
Two new Rank three Gu Masters within such a short period.
One A-grade.
One C-grade.
One openly backed by Chi branch.
One now also connected to Chi branch.
No matter how one looked at it, the Chi faction had gained too much.
But outside the pavilion, the wolf tide had not stopped. The clan's casualty reports grew worse every day. At this time, cutting down new Rank three strength because of suspicion was not wise.
Gu Yue Bo finally spoke.
"The wolf tide is before us. Since Fang Yuan's Rank three cultivation is genuine, according to clan rules, he will be recognized as a clan elder."
The hall quieted.
Gu Yue Yao Ji still wanted to speak, but Gu Yue Bo raised his hand slightly.
"As for the matter of his disappearance, Elder Chi Lian has already testified. This matter will be recorded. If there are further questions, they can wait until after the wolf tide."
This sentence settled the matter.
At least for now.
Fang Yuan cupped his fists lightly. "Clan leader is wise."
Gu Yue Bo looked at him.
His gaze was calm, but it carried a strange depth.
Fang Yuan might have obtained an inheritance.
He might have secrets.
He might even be related to Jia Jin Sheng's disappearance.
But now, he was Rank three.
And the clan needed him.
After the meeting ended, the elders gradually left.
Some elders congratulated Fang Yuan with smiles. Some merely nodded. Some avoided speaking too much. In politics, there were no eternal enemies or eternal friends. Only benefits changed position.
Fang Ming also stood up.
When he passed Fang Yuan, the two glanced at each other.
Neither spoke.
Fang Ming walked out of the clan leader pavilion.
Outside, rainwater still dripped from the eaves. The distant sound of wolves could be heard faintly from beyond the village wall.
The elders' attention had shifted, just as he expected.
Fang Yuan's rise was too abnormal.
Compared to him, Fang Ming's own advancement looked much cleaner.
But Fang Ming did not relax.
During this month, he had already found a chance to get close to Gu Yue Bo and copy one of his rank four Gu.
The clan leader was Rank four. In the Gu Yue clan, his Gu worms were among the most valuable things on Qing Mao Mountain.
The first was Eclipse Moonlight Gu.
Rank four attack Gu.
This Gu was a special moon blade Gu worm. Its attack was extremely fast, nearly invisible, and most suitable for sneak attacks. Back then, the Flower Wine Monk had been heavely injured by the rank five variant of this Gu.
Gu Yue Bo's Eclipse Moonlight Gu was only Rank four.
But on Qing Mao Mountain, Rank four was already enough.
The second was Jade Fortress Gu.
Rank four defensive Gu.
It could form a powerful jade barrier, far stronger than ordinary Rank three defenses. With this Gu, Gu Yue Bo could withstand attacks that would instantly kill ordinary elders.
The third was Swift Wind Walking Gu.
Rank four movement Gu.
It gave the user great speed and allowed rapid movement across the battlefield. In the wolf tide, this kind of Gu was not only useful for chasing and escaping, but also for commanding and reinforcing weak points.
Among these three, Fang Ming had chosen Eclipse Moonlight Gu.
A defensive Gu could save his life.
A movement Gu could help him escape.
But a nearly invisible killing move could change the result before the enemy even realized danger had arrived.
The copy was already complete.
It was hidden deep among Fang Ming's secrets.
He could not use it casually. Rank four Gu worms consumed far too much primeval essence, and the moment Eclipse Moonlight Gu appeared, anyone familiar with the clan leader's methods would become suspicious.
But a hidden blade did not need to be drawn every day.
It only needed to be drawn once at the right time.
Fang Ming looked toward the direction of the clan leader pavilion, then withdrew his gaze.
Fang Yuan had now stepped onto the stage.
The elders' eyes would follow him for a while.